Grace Henrietta (Barkema) ESK

ESK, BARKEMA, MEINTS, ARNOLD, EMERSON, TROWBRIDGE, DEGROOTE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/18/2007 at 22:06:52

Grace H. Esk, 89, formerly of Clarion, Lake Mills and most recently of Belmond, died May 10, 2007 at the Belmond Health Care Center. Services were held May 15 at Immanuel Reformed Church near Belmond, with Pastor Rodney Meester officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Grace Henrietta, the daughter of Hilko and Amanda (Meints) Barkema, was born near Belmond on August 3, 1917. She was one of seven children. Her mother died during childbirth when Grace was fourteen years old, leaving Grace and sister Beulah to help their father raise the other five children, the youngest being four. Grace was educated in rural school and at Meservey, and could speak German as well as English. Grace and Albert Esk were married at Immanuel Reformed on November 10, 1937. She worked as a proofreader for the Wright County Monitor in Clarion for ten years. She was later employed by Deluxe Products (now Fleet Guard) in Lake Mills for fourteen years. Grace was a lady, always wearing a dress. She loved to fish and was known for growing the most beautiful African violets. She was very proud of her son Larry and his family; she cut out articles concerning her grandchildren and shared them with others. She was a wonderful historian, keeping track of all the Barkema gatherings. Her church (Palsville Church -- now Immanuel Reformed) was a very important part of her life. What she enjoyed the most was when the entire family would go to church together. Guests who dropped in unexpectedly were always treated to a meal. She was known for her specken dicken on New Year's Day.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1965; brothers Orval and Bud Barkema; and an infant sister. Grace is survived by son Larry (Karen) Esk of Story City; grandchildren Laura (Kent) Arnold of Story City, Thomas (Donja) Esk of Ames, and Julie Jo (Brent) Emerson of Huxley; great-grandchildren Payton and Colton James Arnold, and Kelli Jo and Karlee Kate Emerson; sisters Beulah Esk of Belmond, Leola Trowbridge of Griffen, GA, and Evelyn (Harlan) DeGroote of Mascoutah, IL; and brother Dale (Arlene) Barkema of Clear Lake.

15 May 2007
©Belmond Independent 2007