Chris CHRISTIANS

CHRISTIANS, EEKHOFF, DE POORTER, ZWART, WALHOF, PRINS, KROSSCHELL, BROUWER, ABBAS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/14/2008 at 20:22:03

November 26, 1953
Edgerton Enterprise, Minnesota

Mr. Chris Christians passed away quietly at his home on Tuesday morning, November 17, 1953. He had reached the age of 75 years, 2 months and 24 days. Funeral services were held on Friday, Nov. 20, and were in charge of the Rev. S. Kramer, assisted by the Rev. A. Blick. Many friends and relatives witnessed the final rites held at the First Christian Reformed Church of which Mr. Christians and his family have been members since 1916. Interment was at the Hillside Cemetery, beside his wife and four children who preceded him in death.

The deceased was born in Bellingwolde, Groningen, The Netherlands, on August 23, 1878, and came to America with his parents in 1893. They settled in Wright County, Iowa, where his three brothers and one sister still reside. The family became farmers and the departed was no exception.

Mr. Christians was united in marriage to Hattie Eekhoff on January 27, 1903. They lived in Wright County until 1916 when they moved to a farm northeast of Edgerton where they moved to a farm northeast of Edgerton where they remained for 19 years. The reason for his coming to this territory was his concern for the welfare of his children. Outside elements were closing in on the church and this boded ill for the future. The family had its share of hardships but their faith in God remained. Their seventeen month old twins died within three days during the dreaded flu epidemic of 1918. Six months later an infant passed away. In early 1942 their son John died while in the service of our country. This caused them to move to town, which they did in the spring of 1942. Mr. Christians was extremely vigorous and dynamic. To do nothing was dreaded unequivocally. However, the Master had to test him rather definitely for the last three years. His eyesight failed, his body crumbled, and he was paralyzed from a stroke which he had for over two years. Then, about 2 years ago, Mrs. Christians suddenly was taken from him and his testing became severe. However, through it all he learned to be patient, and learned to say honestly, "Not my will but Thine be done". Visits from his children, his friends, and his minister, Rev. Kramer, were highly appreciated.

He leaves to mourn his children, Arnold, Ella (Mrs. P. De Poorter), George, Henry, Tena (Mrs. L. Zwart), Florence (Mrs. P. Walhof), Winifred (Mrs. Cornie Prins), and Norma (Mrs. Leslie Krosschell), 26 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Also he is survived by three brothers, Nick, Henry, and Al and two sisters, Mrs. Nancy Abbas and Mrs. Tena Brouwer.

Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Nick Christians, Henry Christians, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Christians, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Christians, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Christians, Andy Christians, Mr. John Riekens, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Abbas, Mr. and Mrs. C. Abbas, Fred Abbas, George Abbas, Mr. and Mrs. John Rietema, Mrs. Art Rietema, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Assink, Mr. and Mrs. John Ruter, Mr. and Mrs. H. Verbrugge, and Mrs. Boyd Ruter, all of Kanawha, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. A. Abbas of Woden, Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs. H. Eekhoff of Wellsburg, Grundy County, Iowa.