Kemper, Elsien (Miss) 1848-1941

KEMPER, KNOTNERUS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2022 at 08:23:06

From the Rock Valley Bee, June 27, 1941:

Funeral services for Miss Elsie Kemper, 93, were held Saturday at the First Reformed church, Rev. H. J. Alberson officiating. Miss Kemper died here Wednesday after an illness of a week.

She was born at Veendam, Prov. Groningen, Netherlands, on February 23, 1848, and was the last surviving member of her family. In May, 1890, she came to the United States where she spent the rest of her life.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Kemper, Elsien, b. 1848, d. 1941, Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley. Her FindaGrave page includes a photo of her headstone, but no additional information.

Her death certificate (informant Mrs. Bertha Jacobema, Doon, Iowa) has Elsien Kemper, age 93 years 4 months, single; born Feb. 23, 1848 in the Netherlands; parents’ names not known; resident of the Rock Valley area 50 years; died at 4:30 p.m. June 18, 1941; cause, “arteriosclerosis producing chronic nephritis and other degenerative changes,” duration, years.

The 1940 U.S. census shows her, as Elsie Kemper, age 92, living in Rock Valley with Jacob Roelofs (40) and his wife Elberdina (45), relationship Aunt. In 1930, also as Elsie Kemper (age 78), she is living in a home owned by her, with Alberdina Bunning (34) as her Roomer. The 1900 census for Logan Township, Clark County, S.D. shows Elsie Kemper (46), born Feb. 1854 in the Netherlands, living with John[?] Bunning, his wife Anna, and their family, including daughter Dena (6); Elsie’s relationship to John is sister-in-law. She and Anna Bunning immigrated to the U.S. in 1890.

Family tree information on Ancestry.com show her as Elsjen or Elsie Kemper, born 23 Feb 1848 in Veendam, Groningen, Netherlands, parents Lubbert Lubberts Kemper (1814- ) and Grietje Zand Knotnerus (1816- ). No source for this information is given. She had four brothers and three sisters.