Driesen, Roelofje “Rolena” (Mrs. John), 1847-1937

DRIESEN, VANBENTHEM, WINTER

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

From the Alton Democrat, October 1, 1937. Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Rolena Driesen was born September, 1847, at Ambet-volen-hoven, Overijssel, Netherlands, where she lived until 1913 when they came to America. Her husband passed away on October 8, 1915. She died Monday morning at the age of 90 years.

The following children survive—Johannes Zwart Sluis, in Overijssel, Netherlands; John Driesen, Hudson, S.D.; James, H. J. and Evert, all of Rock Valley; and Klaas Driesen of Hudson; Mrs. Guy Blankespoor of Hull, and Mrs. Jake Ruys of Sioux Center.

Funeral services were held in the Old Reformed church, conducted by Rev, Vander Hoef, pastor. Interment was at Valley View cemetery.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Sioux County Capital, September 30, 1937:

MRS. ROLENA DRIESEN

Mrs. Rolena Driesen pased away at her home in Rock Valley on Monday morning, September 27. Mrs. Driesen’s death was due to complications from a severe cold and old age.

Mrs. Driesen was born in Amby Vollenhoven, Overysel, in The Netherlands, on September 21, 1847. She grew to young womanhood and was married there. She lived in the Netherlands until 1913 when Mr. and Mrs. Driesen and their family moved to the United States and have resided in Rock Valley since that time. Mr. Driesen died on October 8, 1915.

Mrs. Driesen is survived by six sons, who are John and Klaus of Hudson, S.D., James, H. J. and Evert Driesen of Rock Valley, and Johannes Driesen of Zwartsluis, Overysel, in the Netherlands, and two daughters, Mrs. Guys Blankespoor of Boyden and Mrs. Jake Rus of Sioux Center.

Funeral services will be held in the Old Reformed church in Rock Valley at 2 o’clock, Thursday afternoon Sept. 30. Rev. Jacob Van der Hoef, pastor of the church, will have charge of the services.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 1, 1937:

AGED RESIDENT HAS GONE TO HER REWARD

Mrs. Roeloffje Driessen, who observed her 90th birthday anniversary last week Wednesday, passed away at her home in Rock Valley Monday morning. She was taken sick the evening of her birthday anniversary and continued to fail until the final summons came.

[The remainder of the obit is a more generalized version of the above obits. It adds that she was the mother of ten children, two of whom died in infancy, and gives alternate names for two of her children: Henry John (H. J.), and Mrs. Jake Ruisch.]

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Roelofje Driesen, b. 1847, d. 27 Sep 1937, Mother, Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley IA. FindaGrave.com has a photo of her headstone, but the stone is badly eroded.

Her death certificate identifies her as Mrs. John Driesen (no forename), resident of the U.S. and Rock Valley for 24 years 8 months; adds her parents, Jannes Van Benthem and Tryntje Winters, both born in the Netherlands; died at 4 a.m. Sept. 27, 1937; cause, chronic myocarditis and auricular fibrillation.

WieWasWie.nl has a marriage index record for groom Jan Driezen, age 22, a farmer, born at Vollenhove, Ambt, parents Jan Everts Driezen and Hilligje Upper; bride Roelofje van Benthem, age 21, resident of Vollenhove, parents Jannes van Benthem and Trijntje Winter’ married at Vollenhove 5 August 1869.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists on Ancestry.com has Jan (66, a farmer) and Roelofje (65) Driesen, with their son Evert and his wife Femmigje and their three children sailing from Rotterdam on the ship Noordam and arriving in New York on 25 Feb 1913.