VanRennes, Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry), 1877-1941

VANRENNES, HEEMSBERGEN, VANVOORST

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/23/2022 at 19:31:11

From the Sioux Center News, July 17, 1941:

Mrs. Henry Van Rennes of Hospers, Iowa died at her home in Hospers at the age of 63. Mrs. Van Rennes has made her home in Hospers for the past fifteen years and lived near Sioux Center for a few years previous to that. Before coming to Sioux Center she had made her home in Holland.

Mrs. Van Rennes is survived by her husband, Mr. H. Van Rennes, who operates a grocery store in Hospers, and by seven living children. They are Anthony, of Sioux City, Richard and Henry Jr., California, Elizabeth, California, Mrs. Theo. De Hoogh, Jr. of Sheldon, Mrs. Bob Boersma, Hospers, and Mrs. William De Bruin of Sioux Center.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Alton Democrat, July 18, 1941:

Mrs. H. Van Rennes Stricken Suddenly

Mrts. Henry Van Rennes, wife of a Hospers business man, died Saturday evening following an internal hemorrhage with which she was stricken during the afternoon while busy with her household tasks.

Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at the First Ref. church, Rev. G. Doctor officiating, assisted by Rev. H. J. Geerlings. Interment will be in the Hospers cemetery.

Elizabeth Heemsbergen was born on Sept. 9, 1877, in Veenendaal, Netherlands. There she was married to H. Van Rennes on Feb. 7, 1903. Nine children were born to the union in the Netherlands, one daughter passing away. They came to Sioux County in March, 1921, and lived in the Orange City and Sioux Center vicinities before coming to Hospers in 1926. They conducted a bakery and later a grocery business.

Mrs. Van Rennes was a happy and lovable woman and leaves many friends, besides her family of four daughters, Elizabeth of Huntington, Calif., Mrs. Wm. De Bruin of Sioux Center, Mrs. Ted Den Haag, Sheldon, Mrs. Herman J. Beersma of Hospers, and three sons, Richard and Henry of Buena Park, Calif., and Anthony of South Sioux City, Nebr., to mourn her passing. One son, John, preceded her in death in 1934. Twelve grandchildren, five brothers and two sisters survive her, together with her husband and children.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Boyden Reporter, July 17, 1941:

After a short illness, Mrs. Henry Van Rennes, nee Elizabeth Heemsbergen, passed away at her home in Hospers Saturday afternoon, July 12, at 5:20 o’clock, at the age of 64 years, 10 months and 3 days. Her husband and one daughter were at her bedside when the end came. The other children were unable to get here in time, as death came suddenly.

[Birth, marriage, and immigration information same as above, except giving her birth date as December 9, 1877.] Mrs. Van Rennes was a kind and loving mother and a devoted Christian and never would complain of ills that befell her. She was a friend to all and had a smile for everybody. She was a faithful member of the First Reformed church and of the Ladies’ Aid society.

Besides the bereaved husband, she is survived by seven children, as one son, John, was killed in an auto accident in the year 1934. The children are Richard and Henry of Buena Park, Calif., Elizabeth of Huntington Beach, Calif., (Margaret) Mrs. Wm. De Bruin of Sioux Center, (Nellie) Mrs. Ted de Hoogh of Sheldon, Anthony of South Sioux City, Neb., and (Reka) Mrs. H. J. Boersma of Hospers; also 12 grandchildren and five brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the home and at 1:30 at the First Reformed church, with Rev. G. Dokter and Rev. Geerlings in charge. Burial will be in the Hospers cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve De Vries, Wm. Stover, Sam Klein, G. De Kruif, Ray De Lange and Dick Kreykes. All the children plan to attend the funeral.

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate (informant H. Van Rennes) gives her birth date as December 9, 1877; father Richard Heensbergen, mother’s name unknown; resident of the Hospers community 15 years; died at 5 p.m. July 12, 1941; cause, pulmonary hemorrhage, due to Ca[cancer?] of lung [illegible], due to “Ca of uterus probably.”

Her FindaGrave.com page gives her birth date as 10 Dec 1877, and includes a photo of her headstone (giving year of birth only). Spouse Henry Van Rennes (1879-1959, married 1903).

WieWasWie.nl has a marriage index record for groom Johannes Bernardus Hendrikus van Rennes, age 23, a paper maker, father’s name not given, mother Jantje van Rennes, a workingwoman; bride Elisabeth Heemsbergen, age 25, a maidservant, parents Rijk Heemsbergen, a cotton weaver, and Elizabeth van Voorst; married in Ede, Gelderland, 7 Feb 1903.

New York Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists on Ancestry.com shows the Van Rennes family having sailed from Rotterdam on 15 March 1921 on the S.S. Noordam, arriving in New York on March 28, 1921, destination Sioux Center, Iowa; coming to join uncle, Bastiaan Heemsbergen. They are listed as husband Johannes (42), a miller, wife Elisabeth (43), and children Jan (17), a miller, Ryk (16), Elisabeth (12), Margaret (11), Petronella (9), Anton (8), Hendrikus (6), and Hendrika (5). She is described as 5 feet 3 inches, blonde hair, blue eyes, fair complexion.

In the 1930 U.S. census the family is living in Hospers, where Henry is a cashier in a bank. In 1940 Henry and Elizabeth are living by themselves, both naturalized; he is proprietor of a retail grocery store.