Porter, Grietje (Mrs. John) 1870-1941

PORTER, ZYLSTRA, BOUMA, VOGELZANG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2022 at 07:55:56

From the Alton Democrat, April 25, 1941, Orange City news:

After several weeks of illness Mrs. John Porter passed away at her home Monday morning at three o’clock. Miss Grietje Zylstra was born in 1870 in Friesland, The Netherlands, and at the age of 20 came, alone, to America to be married to Mr. R. L. Bouma. The marriage occurred in Orange City. Eight years later Mr. Bouma passed away. Four children were born to them, namely: Lou Bouma of Le Mars, Miss Rena Bouma and Miss Etta Bouma, both at home, and Andrew Bouma of Carnes. In 1908 Mrs. Porter was remarried to John J. Porter who passed away in 1930.

Besides her children she is survived by two sisters and one brother who lives in the Netherlands and two step-children, Jake Porter of Inwood and Mrs. Martin Dykstra, and by five grandchildren.

Mrs. Porter was a faithful member of the First Reformed church and of the Ladies Missionary Society. Funeral services were held Wednesday at the First Reformed church with Rev. H. Colenbrander in charge. Burial was made in the local cemetery.

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From the Sioux County Capital, April 24, 1941:

Mrs. John Porter died Monday morning at 2:45 at her home in Orange City at the age of 70 years. Her death was caused by a liver ailment.

She was the former Grietje Zylstra and was born August 7, 1870 in Friesland, The Netherlands. Fifty years ago she came to Carnes from The Netherlands. In September 1890 she was united in marriage to R. L. Bouma and the following children were born to this union: Lou of Le Mars; Rena and Etta of Orange City; and Andrew of Carnes. They lived on a farm near Carnes until 1898 when Mr. Bouma died. The family then moved to Orange City. In April 1908 she was united in marriage to John Porter who died Jan. 20, 1930.

Mrs. Porter was a member of the First Reformed church of Orange City and the Senior Ladies Missionary Society of the church.

Survivors include 4 children: Lou of Le Mars, Rena and Etta at home, and Andrew of Carnes; 2 step children, Mrs. Martin Dykstra of Orange City and Jake Porter of Inwood; 5 grandchildren and 7 step grandchildren; and 2 sisters and 1 brother in The Netherlands.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 1 o’clock in the home and at 1:30 in the First Ref. church with Rev. Mr. H. Colenbrander in charge. Burial was made in the Orange City cemetery.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate (informant Rena Bouma) has Mrs. Grietje Porter, widow of John Porter; born Aug. 7, 1870 in Providence [Province] Friesland, Netherlands; parents Anne Dirk Zylstra and Reino Vogelzang; resident of the U.S. 50 years and of Orange City 21 years; died at 2:45 a.m. April 21, 1941; cause, cirrhosis of the liver, duration several years; buried at Orange City.

She does not appear in the Sioux County Cemetery Index. Her FindaGrave.com page has Gertrude “Grietje” Zijlstra Bouma Porter; born 6 Aug 1870 in Vrouwenparochie, Het Bildt Municipality, Friesland, Netherlands; died 21 Apr 1941 in Orange City; buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City. Husbands Reinder Lieuwes Bouma (1855-1899, married 1890) and John Porter (1863-1930, married 1908). Children Lou R. Bouma (1891-1959), Rena Bouma (1893-1952), Etta Bouma (1895-1986), and Andrew Dick Bouma (1898-1973).

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index record for Grietje Zijlstra, parents Anne Dirks Zijlstra and Reino Vogelzang, born 7 Aug 1870 in Ferwerderadeel, Friesland.