Keizer, James “Jippe,” 1880-1938

KEIZER, HALMA, DEGROOT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Sioux Center News, October 20, 1938:

Rock Valley Citizen Passes Away

Mr. James Keizer, 58 years of age, died Saturday morning at his home following a lingering illness. Mr. and Mrs. Keizer had been married for thirty-four years. They and one child came to America in 1911 and have lived at Rock Valley for the last twenty six years. He was born in Friesland, Netherlands.

Surviving are the widow and six children, Mrs. Wren Reitsma, Mrs. Henry Van Bruggen, Mrs. John Wobeldyk, Clara, Viola, and one son Samuel all of Rock Valley. He also leaves one sister and one brother who live in the Netherlands and brothers Mr. Klaas Keizer and Mr. Jake Keizer both of Rock Valley.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct 18, at 1 o’clock from the residence and at 1:30 o’clock from the First Reformed Church, the Rev. John Aberson officiated. Interment was held in the Rock Valley cemetery.

(A similar obituary was published in the Rock Valley Bee, October 21, 1938.)

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From the Sioux County Capital, October 20, 1938:

Jippe Keizer, known as Jim, passed away at his home in Rock Valley on Saturday morning at one o’clock. Mr. Keizer died suddenly of a heart ailment which has bothered him for the past 26 years. He was 58 years of age.

Jippe Keizer was born in St. Anna, Friesland, The Netherlands on April 10, 1880. He grew to manhood in the town of his birth. On May 12, 1904 he was united in marriage with Miss Geertje De Groot.

Seven years following their marriage they came to the United States and settled on a farm near Rock Valley. Sometime later they moved to Wisconsin, where they lived for a few years. Due to the damp climate they returned to Rock Valley, and began farming again. With the exception of a few years spent on a farm between Hudson and Hawarden they have made their home on farms near Rock Valley. Four and one half years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Keizer and family moved to Rock Valley where they have resided since.

Mr. Keizer is survived by his wife, and six children, who are, Mrs. Wren Rietsma, Mrs. John Bobbeldyke, Clara, Sam and Viola of Rock Valley and Mrs. Henry Breugen of Hudson. Mr. Keizer is also survived by two brothers Klaas and Jake Keizer of Rock Valley, Ties Keizer and one sister, Mrs. Dick Wagener of St. Anna, Friesland. One brother, Case Keizer, passed away 18 years ago.

Funeral services were held at the First Reformed church in Rock Valley on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18. Mr. Keizer was a member of the First Reformed church and the services were in charge of Rev. Mr. H. J. Aberson. Burial was made in Valley View cemetery.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Keizer, Jippe, born 1880, died 18 Oct 1938, Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley, IA.

His death certificate has James Keizer, retired farmer; spent 21 years in this occupation, last worked Jan. 1935; born April 10, 1880 in Sint Anna Par., Netherlands; parents Seibe Keizer and Sytsche Holma; resident of the U.S. 27 years and of Rock Valley 26 years; wife Gertrude Keizer; died at 1:00 a.m. October 15, 1938; cause, coronary thrombosis, duration several months.

His FindaGrave.com page has him as Jippe “Jim” Keizer, born 10 April 1880 in Sint Annaparochie, Het Bildt Municipality, Friesland, Netherlands; died 15 Oct 1938 in Rock Valley. Parents Sijbe Gerrits Keizer (1851-1915) and Sijtske Klaassens Halma (1848-1936). Siblings Klaas (1878-1963), Taeke (1886-1966), and Cornelis (1888-1920). Wife Geertje de Groot Keizer (1881-1953, married 1904). Five children listed: Henrietta Keizer Reitsma (1908-2005), Tillie Keizer Bobeldyk (1915-2007), Clara Keizer Buffington (1917-2008), Sam W. Keizer (1919-1991), and Viola Keizer Menning (1921-2018).

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index record for Jippe Keizer, parents Sybe Keizer and Sytske Halma, born 10 April 1880 in Het Bildt, Friesland.

WieWasWie.nl also has a marriage index record for groom Jippe Keizer, age 24, born at St. Annaparochie, parents Sybe Keizer and Sytske Halma; bride Geertje de Groot, age 22, born in St. Jacobiparochie, parents Watze de Groot and Taetske Wijma; married in Het Bildt 12 May 1904.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives his name as Jippe S. Keizer, farmer, residence RN 2, Rock Valley; medium height and build, grey eyes, light brown hair.