Gebke (Abbas) RIEKENS

ABBAS, RIEKENS, EEKHOFF, CHRISTIANS, RUTER, JOHNSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/14/2008 at 09:57:10

Source unknown, ca. October 1934

LOCAL LADY DIES SUNDAY EVENING

Services Held Wednesday For Mrs. H. Riekens - Burial in Wright

Mrs. Hinderk Riekens, who with her son Harm, resided in the northeast part of town, passed away Sunday evening at 7:30 o'clock, following an attack of pneumonia, with which she was taken ill about a week before her death.

Mrs. Hinderk Riekens, nee Gebke Abbas, was born September 24, 1851 at Wiemer, Ostfriesland, Germany, and passed away at her home in Kanawha, Iowa, October 21, 1934, at 7:30 p.m. at the age of 83 years and 27 days. Mrs. Riekens resided in Germany from her birth until the year 1882, when she came to America and her first home in Cleves, Iowa. There she resided for eleven years, coming to this community in 1893, when the family settled on a farm southwest of Kanawha. Since 1918, Mrs. Riekens had been a resident of Kanawha. She was united in marriage to Hinderk Riekens, of Bunde, Ostfriesland, Germany, in the year 1881 in Germany. To this union ten children were born, two of whom died in infancy and one child at the age of six years. Her husband preceded her in death July 13, 1924.

The seven children who survive her are: George, John, Ed, Harm, Mrs. H. Eekhoff, Mrs. A. Christians and Mrs. H. Ruter. Twenty-two grandchildren are also living. Mrs. Riekens was the last member of a family of two sisters and five brothers. Mrs. Riekens was a member of the Christian Reformed Church of Kanawha. Throughout her life she had often proven that she possessed a strong Christian character and that she possessed the qualities of a faithful wife and loving mother. Her many friends in this community join the bereaved family in mourning her passing.

Funeral services were held at the home in Kanawha at 1:30 and at the church at 2:00 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, the Rev. D.H. Plesscher officiating, and the Rev. J. Voortman of the Wright Christian Reformed Church assisting. Music was furnished by a church choir. Pallbearers were: Peter Luppen, W. Willemssen, J. Cooper, F.T. Freerksen, H. Peters and Edd Luppen. Burial was in the Wright Christian Reformed Church cemetery.

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Britt News-Tribune, IA
October 25, 1934

MRS. H. J. RIEKENS DIED AT KANAWHA

Native of Germany and Came to This Country in 1892. Survived by Seven Children

Mrs. H. J. Riekens, 83, passed away Sunday evening. She had not been in good health for some time but pneumonia was the immediate cause of death. Gebbe Abbas was born in Wiemer, Ost Friesland, Germany, September 24, 1851. In 1881 she was united in marriage with H. J. Riekens. A year later they sailed to the United States, making their home at Cleves, Iowa, for eleven years, then moving to a farm south of Kanawha in Wright county. They lived in Kanawha for several years preceding his death about ten years ago, Then Mrs. Riekens returned to the farm and lived with her son Harm. In 1930 Harm moved to town and purchased the Ford garage. His mother lived with him until her death.

Mrs. Riekens is survived by seven children: Harm, Ed, George, John, Mrs. Henry Eekhoff, Mrs. Al Christians and Mrs. Hammond Ruter, all of near Kanawha; numerous other relatives and friends. Three children passed away in infancy. Mrs. Riekens was the last of a large family of children to pass away. A sister, Mrs. Weirt Johnson, of near Kanawha, passed away about three weeks ago.

Funeral services were held at one o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Christian Reform church. The Rev. D. H. Plessecher will officiate. Burial will be in the Wright Reform church cemetery south of Kanawha.