Pike Township Family Stories
VAN AKEN FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 334-335
By Carol KaalbergLeo Van Aken was born 28 July 1899 in Gaanderen, Holland. He was the son of Antoon Van Aken and Marie Van Aken.
Leo’s father, Antoon, died in 1904 at the age of 33. The family consisted of Mary Van Aken, Frances Van Aken, Leo Van Aken, Sophie Van Aken and Dorothy Van Aken. A son and a daughter died in infancy.
After Antoon’s death, Marie Van Aken married John Jansen. They were parents of Jack Jansen, Henry Jansen, Thodore Jansen, Al Jansen, Agnes Jansen, Josephine Jansen and Cecelia Jansen.
Leo Van Aken’s family came to this country on 17 March 1911. Leo was 12 years old, and his parents sent him to live with Henry l. Brugman. Leo worked on the Brugman farm for room and board. The farm is located 4 ½ miles northwest of Nichols (Arbor Vitae Farm).
Leo worked and stayed with various families for the next twelve years, only getting together with his family for an occasional holiday. Leo tells that one Christmas Eve, when he was 13 years old, he walked to the Nichols Catholic church for midnight mass, a distance of five miles, in the cold weather so he could see his mother and family.
Leo married Marie Helena Kaalberg 11 February 1925. She was born 16 June 1904, a daughter of Bernard and Suzanna Kaalberg. They farmed most of their lives in Section 12, Fremont township, Johnson county, about six miles northwest of Nichols. They were parents of one son, Billie Lee Van Aken, who was born 24 February and died 26 June 1955.
After retiring from farming, Leo and Marie moved to the town of Nichols. They lived south of the Catholic church at 100 McKinley. Leo sold his house in August of 1983. Leo died 3 December 1983, and Marie resides in Lone Tree at the Lone Tree Health Care center.
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