VandenBerg, Franklin A. “Frank” (child), 1935-1941

VENDENBERG, SIEBERSMA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/1/2022 at 07:16:54

From the Sioux County Capital, December 11, 1941:

Boy Killed in Car Accident

Frank, 6 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Vande Berg of Sanborn, was fatally injured in a car accident Friday evening Dec. 5. The accident occurred one mile from their home near Primghar. The family was on their way to Orange City to attend a shower for their sister, Miss Lucy Siebersma which was held at the Elmer Vander Brake home. They were about to cross a main road and being blinded by the lights of an oncoming car and also hindered by frosted windows, crashed into a car coming from the north, driven by Gerrit Van’t Hof of Sanborn.

The Van’t Hofs and daughter all received bruises while their car was a total wreck. The Van de Berg car was badly damaged. In the Vander Berg car, Harriet, 4 years old, received a broken ankle and collar bone. The baby boy received a deep gash in his face. Jake Vande Berg, the father of the children, had two head wounds, while the mother was a victim of concussion of the brain. They were all taken to the Primghar hospital, where Frank died shortly after entering.

Funeral services for Frank were held at the home and at the church at Sanborn with Rev. Van Rees conducting the services. Interment took place in the Orange City cemetery.

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From the Hawarden Independent, December 11, 1941:

Franklin Vandenburg, 6-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Vandenburg of Primghar, was fatally injured and his parents, one sister and one brother, were seriously injured last Friday in an automobile accident. Franklin suffered a broken neck when the car in which he was riding collided with a car driven by Garritt Van Hof of Sanborn. The other members of the Vandenburg family suffered serious injuries but the occupants of the other car escaped with minor injuries.

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From the Alton Democrat, December 12, 1941, Orange City news:

Relatives attended the funeral of Frank, the 6 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Vander Berg of Primghar. The family met with a car accident and all were confined to the Primghar hospital but were able to leave the hospital. The funeral services were held at Sanborn and burial was made in the Orange City cemetery. The child was a grandson of Steve Siebersma.

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From the Ireton Ledger, December 11, 1941:

Mr. and Mrs. John Kamstra motored to Sanborn to attend the funeral of Franklin Vander Berg age 7 who was killed in a car accident Friday evening.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Vanden Berg, Franklin A., born 1935, died 1941, West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City IA.

His death certificate (informant Jake Vanden Berg) has Franklin Anthony Vanden Berg; resident of rural O’Brien County, 1 mile west and 2-1/2 miles north of Primghar; born February 24, 1935 at Sheldon, Iowa; parents Jake Vanden Berg, born in the Netherlands, and Jennie Vanden Berg, born in Orange City, Iowa; died in the Ward Hospital, Primghar, where he had been for 1 hour, at 8:10 p.m. December 5, 1941; cause, traumatic fracture and dislocation of cervical vertebrae, due to automobile accident at a county highway intersection 4 miles northwest of Primghar; buried in Orange City.

The 1940 census of Summit Township, O’Brien County, Iowa lists Jake Vanden Berg (33). born in the Netherlands, a farmer; wife Jennie (25), born in Iowa; children Franklin A. (5) and Harriet (3).

The family subsequently had another son, who they also named Franklin J. The 1950 census shows Jake and Jennie Vanden Berg living in Matlock and both working as storekeepers, general store, with three children: Harriet L. (13), Stanley J. (9), and Franklin A. (7). Obituaries of the other children also mention both Franks.

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found a partial obit on line: Jake Vanden Berg was born 23 Apr 1906 Netherlands, married 12 Feb 1934, died 12 Feb 1973 Sheldon IA, wife was Jennie Siebersma, children Frank, Stan, Harriet.