DeKock, Lester W., 1910-1940

DEKOCK, BRINK, DEJONG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2021 at 19:12:50

From the Sioux Center News, January 4, 1940:

YOUNG FARMER ENDS LIFE WEDNESDAY
FOUND HANGING IN HAY LOFT
Funeral in Maurice Friday

Lester De Kock, 28, successful young farmer living one mile south and 2 miles east of Maurice, took his own life by hanging Wednesday. The body was found by Mrs. De Kock, an expectant mother, hanging in the haymow at one o’clock Wednesday noon when she went out to look for him because he failed to come in for the noon meal. Coroner Chas. Vander Ploeg of Sioux Center said the death was by suicide and that no inquest will be held.

Lester De Kock is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John De Kock, long time residents of the Maurice community. Two years ago he married Dorothy Brink, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Brink. They lived on the old De Kock homestead. No note of explanation has been found. Relatives say he had no pressing financial worry and that he has been in good health, and could inscribe no reason for his act.

Wednesday morning De Kock seemed normal and cheerful. He left the house at about 10 o’clock after having a forenoon lunch and wasn’t seen again until found.

The funeral services will be held Friday at 1:30 from the First Reformed Church of Maurice, Rev. Roggen officiating.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Sioux County Capital, January 4, 1940:

PROMINENT YOUNG FARMER DIES AT MAURICE
Lester De Kock Found Dead in Barn

The body of Lester De Kock, 29, was found hanging in a barn on his farm 1 mile south and 2¼ miles east of Maurice, at 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, by his wife. Coroner Charles Vander Ploeg of Sioux Center pronounced the death “suicide by hanging.” The young man had been dead about 2 hours when found. It was said that he seemed happy and contented and that there was no known motive for the deed. He left no notes.

Wednesday morning at about 10 a.m., Mr. De Kock had lunch in the house with his wife, the former Dorothy Brink of Maurice. He then left. At dinner time, relatives said that Mrs. De Kock called him but, receiving no answer, thought that he may have gone to a neighbor’s. However, she could not locate him and so went out to the barns to look for him. She then discovered the body. She called the Teunis Maassen farm and Mr. Maassen came at once. The body was taken to the Van Etten Funeral Home in Orange City.

Mr. De Kock had been farming land owned by his father, John De Kock. The young man is survived by his wife whom he married on February 9, 1938, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John De Kock, 1 sister, Mrs. Peter Raak, and 3 brothers, Marion, Vernon and Harvey.

Funeral services will be held at the First Reformed church in Maurice, Friday, January 5, with the Rev. Mr. Roggen officiating.

(The obituary includes a photo of him.)

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate (informant Ida Raak) adds his full name as Lester W. De Kock, born October 15, 1910 at Maurice, Sioux County; parents John F. De Kock, born in Pella, Iowa, and H. DeJong, born in Maurice.

His FindaGrave.com page shows him buried in Sherman Township Cemetery, Maurice; parents John F. De Kock (1874-1960) and Huberta De Jong De Kock (1878-1945); five siblings listed; wife Dorothy Brink De Jong (1914-2008). There is a photo of his headstone.

Their marriage certificate has groom Lester De Kock, age 28, resident of Maurice, a farmer, parents John F. De Kock and Hattie De Jong; bride Dorothy Brink, age 24, resident of Maurice, parents John A. Brink and Gertrude Kuiken; married at Maurice on February 9, 1938.

His widow moved back to her parents’ home and sold their livestock, feed, and farm machinery at auction on January 13. An auction advertisement in De Volksvriend and the Sioux County Capital (both January 11, 1940) enumerates the property. Their son Wesley Jay De Kock was born on March 22, 1940. Dorothy De Kock remarried in 1946, to Arnold De Jong.