Dethmers, Harriet (Mrs. Hessel), 1885-1936

DETHMERS, GEYSPERS, GIJSBERTS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Alton Democrat, June 5, 1936, Boyden news:

Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dethmers and other relatives of the death of Mrs. Hessel Dethmers of Waupan, Wisconsin, Saturday morning. The body was shipped to Sheldon by train and the Dethmers family arrived by car, Tuesday. Funeral services were held there Monday and Wednesday were held at the Reformed church in Sheldon, Rev. Vis officiating. Interment was made in the Sheldon cemetery beside her husband who passed away several years ago while living near Sheldon. The Dethmers were also former Boyden residents.

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From the Boyden Reporter, June 4, 1936:

MRS. HESSEL DETHMERS
(nee Harriet Geyspers)

died May 23, 1936, in Waupon, Wisconsin. She was fifty years old when she died. Her husband died eleven years ago at Sheldon, Iowa. They lived around Boyden and Sheldon for twenty years and have spent the last nine years in Waupon. To survive her are her nine children, who are all at home, John, Anna, Harold, Ruth, Esther, Mildred, Hazel, Arnold and Dorothy; also four brothers and three sisters.

The relatives that attended the funeral, which was held in the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, were: Mr. and Mrs. John Roelofs, Mr. and Mrs. Mielenburg, both of Edgerton, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. D. Roelofs; Mr. and Mrs. L. Redeker, of Sioux Center; Mr. and Mrs. R. De Cook, Mrs. Spieker, Mr. and Mrs. James Dueven, and Mrs. Kots, all of Orange City; Mr. and Mrs. Van Peursed and Mr. and Mrs. De Jong of Maurice; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Vander Well, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Vander Well, all of Rock Valley; Mr. and Mrs. Ike Dethmers and children, Miss Nettie Dethmers, both of Hull; Mr. and Mrs. John Dethmers and son of Sioux Falls; Mr. and Mrs. John Klien and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dethmers of Boyden.

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See the obituary for her husband, Hessel Dethmers (posted separately) for additional family information. It spells Harriet’s birth name Gijsberts.

The 1930 U.S. census shows Harriet and eight children (all except John) living together in Waupun, Wisconsin. The oldest daughter, Anna (20) is an inspector in a hosiery mill, and the oldest son, Harold (17) is a milk route truck driver. The other children range in age from 13 to 4-1/2.