Geraets, Gerrit John, 1876-1938

GERAETS, SLINGER, OSSEVOORT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Alton Democrat, June 17, 1938:

G. J. Geraets of Dell Rapids Gone

G. J. Geraets, who farmed in the Alton vicinity a good many years ago, died at his home at Dell Rapids, S.D., on Sunday afternoon, June 5, at the age of 61 years. Heart trouble caused by an attack of the flu was the cause of his death.

Born in the Netherlands on Nov. 25, 1876, he came to this country with his parents when 5 years of age. He was united in marriage on April 11, 1899, to Miss Wilhelmina Slinger, and to this union seven children were born. The eldest son, Henry, preceded his father in death, passing away Dec. 30, 1918. The Geraets family farmed near Alton until 1920 when they moved to Dell Rapids.

Mr. Geraets is survived by his widow and six children, as follows: Martha, Johanna, Ida (Mrs. Matt Wolles), Theodore, Louis and Gerhard, all living in the Dell Rapids vicinity; also by six grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters. The latter are Mrs. Kate Boelens, Elkton, S.D.; Theodore Geraets, Elmwood, Wis.; Mrs. Louis Le Brun, Henry and John, all of Dell Rapids.

Funeral services were conducted at Dell Rapids by Rev. W. L. Roche on Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock and interment was at St. Mary’s cemetery at Dell Rapids. Six nephews were pallbearers. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends.

One of the best farmers and citizens The Democrat has ever known, we regret exceedingly the news concerning the passing of Mr. Geraets. He was a staunch friend, a devoted member of the Catholic church, and a man of splendid character who was a distinct asset to his community. He will be greatly missed by a host of friends.

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RESEARCH NOTES

A similar obituary was published in the Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, S.D.), 8 June 1938. It calls him J. G. Gereats and gives his age as 62.

His FindaGrave.com page gives his full name as Gerrit John Geraets, birth and death dates as above, buried in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Dell Rapids, with a photo of his headstone (G. J. Geraets). Father John Henry Geraets (1848-1922). Wife Wilhelmina Theodore Slinger Geraets (1869-1943). Children John Henry Geraets (1900-1918), Martha H. Geraets (1901-1985), Johanna M. Geraets (1902-1985), Ida Regina Geraets Wolles (1904-1990), Theodore J. Geraets (1906-1986), Luis W. Geraets (1908-1975), Gary P. Geraets (1909-1985).

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index record for Gerhardus Johannes Geraets; parents Johannes Hendrikus Geraets, age 28, a laborer, and Johanna Ossevoort; born 26 Nov 1876 in Slagharen (Hardenberg, Ambt), Overijssel, Netherlands.

The 1900 U.S. census for Floyd Township, Sioux County has Gerrit Gerards, age 23, born Nov. 1876 in the Netherlands, immigrated in 1883, naturalized, a farmer; wife Wilhelmina, age 30, born Oct. 1869 in the Netherlands, immigrated 1893; son Johannes, age 1/12, born Jan. 1900 in Iowa.