Harmelink, Peter Edwin, 1912-2001

HARMELINK, DEJONG, VRIEZE

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

From the Sioux County Capital Democrat, May 31, 2001:

PETER E. HARMELINK

Peter Harmelink, 88, of Alton, died Sunday, May 20, 2001, at his residence. A funeral service was held on Thursday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Alton Reformed Church. The Rev. Roger Voskuil officiated. Burial followed at Nassau Township Cemetery near Alton under the direction of the Oolman Funeral Home, Orange City.

Peter Edwin was born June 23, 1912, at rural Hospers, the son of G. John and Kate (De Jong) Harmelink. He was raised at Newkirk. On June 4, 1936, he married Lillian Winnifred Vrieze at Alton. The couple farmed at Carnes, Maurice and for almost 60 years at Alton. Lillian died May 3, 1998, at Overland Park, Kan.

Mr. Harmelink was a member of the Alton Reformed Church where he served as custodian for several years. He was a deacon and an elder in the consistory and participated in Men’s Brotherhood. In earlier years he sang in quartets in church and the community.

Pete enjoyed fishing and gardening. He also operated the Curtis Café at the Clay County Fair in Spencer with the help of his daughter and son-in-law.

Survivors include his daughter and her husband, Charma and John Lind of Overland Park; three grandchildren, John Brian Lind of Kansas City, Mo., Nicole Janeen Lind of Prairie Village, Kan. and Jeremy Peter Lind of Nairobi, Kenya; a brother, John Harmelink of Spirit Lake; and a sister, Eunice Vande Hoef of Englewood, Colo.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Peter; two brothers, Herman and Gerrit John Harmelink, in infancy; and four sisters, Katherine Drost, Edith Holton, Fannie Jonker and Florence Zordrager.

Memorials will be directed to stroke research.

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This obituary was also published in the Siouxland Press (May 30).

His World War II draft registration form shows him farming outside of Le Mars, and describes him as 5’8” tall, 135 pounds, blue eyes, blonde hair, light complexion, with a mole in his left armpit.