VandeStouwe, Gerrit William, 1913-1937

VANDESTOUWE, VANDERSTOWE, GROENEVELD

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

From the Sioux Center News, September 16, 1937:

Young Man Died From Ruptured Appendix

Hull: Special—Gerrit Vander Stowe, son of Bert Vander Stowe, died at the Hull hospital Saturday morning, Sept. 11, following an operation for ruptured appendix for which he had been operated the day before.

Funeral services were held Monday from the Hull Reformed church with the Rev. Jager in charge. Burial was made in the Hull cemetery. Deceased had been sick but a few days and his early demise came as a shock to his many friends and relatives. Gerrit was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Vander Stowe, his mother having preceded him in death. He is survived by his father, his stepmother, three half brothers, and a host of other relatives.

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From the Sioux County Index (Hull), September 17, 1937:

Gerrit VandeStouwe Died Following A Short Illness

Gerrit Wm. Vande Stouwe, son of Bert Vande Stouwe, was taken seriously ill last week and was rushed to the Hull Hospital where it was discovered that he was suffering from a ruptured appendix, from which he died early Saturday morning.

Gerrit was born at Hull, April 4th, 1913, and was at the time of his death twenty-four years, five months and seven days old. He was the son of Bert Vande Stouwe and Winnie Groeneveld, his mother dying about twenty years ago when he was only a small boy. He grew to manhood in this vicinity and was a friend of all who knew him. He graduated from the Hull High School in 1931.

Funeral services were held from the Gerrit Vande Stouwe home Monday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock and from the American Reformed Church immediately following, conducted by Rev. R. A. Jager. The remains were laid to rest in Hope Cemetery. The church was filled to its capacity with sorrowing relatives and friends. The pall bearers were Gerrit Van de Stouwe of Hull, Freeman and Vernon Vande Stouwe of Doon, John Vande Berg of Sioux Center and Wilbur and Gerrit Vande Schaaf of Orange City, all cousins of the decadent.

The Index joins the many friends of the bereaved father and other relatives in extending sincere sympathy.

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RESEARCH NOTES

He does not appear in the Sioux County Cemetery Index (although four other Gerrit Vande Stouwes do). His father Bert and mother Winnie are also in the Index, surname spelled Vande Stouwe.

His death certificate spells his name Gerret William Van de Stouwe and adds his occupation, farmer; died in the Hull Hospital at 12:45 a.m. September 11, 1937; cause, peritonitis, onset 9-8-37 or 9-4-37 (handwriting is unclear, an added note says “7 da”); contributory cause, ruptured appendix, onset 9-8-37 or 9-4-37; it says that no operation was performed.

The 1930 U.S. census for Hull shows him (age 16) living with his father Bert Van de Stouwe (41) a graveling contractor, stepmother Fay (26), half-brother Harry B. (3/12), and Bert’s widowed brother-in-law Hay W. Thompson (31), an odd-jobs laborer.