Berend BLANK

BLANK, NIEMAN, EENHUIS, SWYTER, BETTEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/23/2017 at 18:52:49

April 12, 1894 --- April 9, 1943

DEATH OF BEN BLANK SHOCKS COMMUNITY
Prominent Liberty Township Farmer Passes in Forty-ninth Year

Kanawha, Iowa, Apri1 12: The entire community was deeply shocked when it heard of the sudden death of Ben Blank last Friday evening at about 10 o'clock at his home, six miles north and three miles east of Kanawha, Iowa. Mr. Blank appeared to be a strong and robust man, never having been seriously ill. He had spent part of the afternoon in Kanawha and upon returning home he complained of a slight indis­position. At 7:30 o'clock he was suddenly stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and almost immediately lost power of speech, although he seemed to realize that his end was approaching. His wife and all the members of the immediate family were at his bedside when death summoned him a few hours later.

Berend Blank, son of Mr. and Mrs. Luppo Blank, was born April 12, 1894, at his parental home near Belmond, Iowa. In 1889 the Blank family moved to a farm 4 miles east and 1/2 mile north of Kanawha, and in 1905 to his present home. He received his education in the rural schools of his community. In 1918 he was called to the service of his country in the World War, spending 9 months in France, returning in the spring of 1919. He was a member of the Adam Schaefer Post of the American Legion at Klemme. On February 25, 1920, he was united in marriage to Miss Grace Nieman. They made their home on the farm 6 miles north and 3 miles east of Kanawha, where he continued to reside until he was suddenly summoned from this earthly life on April 9, 1943, at the age of 48 years, 11 months and 27 days.

Mr. Blank was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father and his departure is keenly felt in the family circle. He was held in esteem by his neighbors and friends. On March 26, 1930, he made public confession of his faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, becoming a member of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church, where he continued his membership until the time of his death, being regular in attend­ance, and in the employment of the means of grace.

His sudden departure is deeply mourned by his devoted wife and six children, three brothers, John of Kanawha, Ralph and Alzo of Klemme, three sisters, Reka (Mrs. George) Eenhuis and Lubena (Mrs. Menno) Swyter of Britt, Allie (Mrs. Henry) Betten of Kanawha, other relatives and many friends. His father and mother preceded him in death. The funeral services were held Tuesday, April 13, 1943, at one o'clock at the home and two o'clock at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church, with Rev. D. H. Plesscher officiating. Interment was made in the Kanawha Cemetery.

Britt News Tribune -- Britt, Iowa
April 14, 1943