Pike Township Family Stories
THE BERNARD OOSTENDORP FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 321
By Margaret OostendorpWilliam Henry Oostendorp came to this area from Holand in 1876. He married Kathryn Schlapkohl from the Lone Tree area. They went to Kansas and staked out a claim. They lived there a couple of years, but due to bad winters and windy conditions, they moved back to the Nichols area to farm.
After retiring from the farm, William Oostendorp built a home in Nichols which is located across from the St. Mary’s hall. He purchased what is now Mills Garage in 1914 from Fred Schmitt and William Schmitt. His two youngest sons, Ben Oostendorp and John Oostendorp operated it. William Oostendorp became the town marshall.
William’s oldes son, William Henry Oostendorp, Jr., married Lola Mae Metcalf, daughter of Harvey Metcalf and Mary Heath Metcalf. They farmed north of Nichols for 38 years, until they retired to Nichols in 1948. They were the parents of Margaret Oostendorp Lindle, Beulah Oostendorp Yakish Stych, Bernard LeRoy Oostendorp and Madelyn Oostendorp Ridenour.
Bernard Oostendorp married Margaret Fox, daughter of Everett Fox and Nettie Harned Fox who lived in the South Prairie community near West Liberty. Margaret has one sister, Arlene Fox.
Bernard and Margaret were owners and operators of Bernie’s Tavern. The tavern was in the old T. B. Nichols building, where the new City hall is now located. They sold the tavern and operated Bernie’s Farm Supply with their youngest son, Ron Oostendorp.
Bernie and Margaret are the parents of three sons, Virgil DeWayne Oostendorp, Robert Allen Oostendorp and Ronald Lee Oostendorp.
Virgil Oostendorp is a graduate of Nichols High school and The University of Iowa. He served in the U. S. Navy aboard the Constellation. He married Diane Frances Farsek. They have three daughters: Kristin Diane Oostendorp, Heather Lynn Oostendorp and Kimberly Ann Oostendorp. Virgil is currently employed with Hinsdale Associates Financial Group in Hinsdale, Illinois, and Diane is a registered nurse at Hinsdale hospital.
Bob Oostendorp graduated from Nichols High school, Muscatine Community college and attended The University of Iowa. He served two years in the U. S. Army. He is presently [1984] living in Iowa City and is employed by Proctor & Gamble.
Ron Oostendorp is a graduate of West Liberty High school. He attended Muscatine Community college. He married Ellen Jane Grimm. Ellen is a graduate of West Liberty High school and Muscatine Community college. They have two sons: Michael John Oostendorp and John Daniel Oostendorp. Ron and Ellen Oostendorp own and operate Ron’s Feed Service in Nichols.
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Page created December 26, 2010 by Lynn McCleary