VanLaar, Susan (Mrs. Gerrit), 1872-1940

VANLAAR, DENBESTE, WISSE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/31/2022 at 20:20:19

From the Sioux County Capital, March 7, 1940:

OBITUARIES – MRS. GERRIT VAN LAAR

Mrs. Gerrit Van Laar, nearly a life-long resident of Alton, died Monday afternoon. She was born in Pella Nov. 9, 1872 and came to Sioux County at the age of 10. She was born Susan Den Beste but in her girlhood was adopted by the late Mr. and Mrs. Pete Wisse, in whose home she grew up. She was married to Mr. Van Laar in 1893 and to this union, 3 children were born all of whom survive: Mrs. Nick Marra, Fred Van Laar, jr., and Peter at home. All are residents of Alton. Also surviving are her husband, a twin sister, Mrs. James Den Hartog of Orange City, another sister Mrs. John Van Wyk of Hull; 4 brothers, John Den Beste, Orange City; Will Den Beste of Crawford, Colo.; Dan Den Beste of Oskaloosa, Ia.; and Fred Den Beste of Sioux Center; 4 half brothers and one half sister living in Yakima, Wash. also survive. There are 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild also surviving.
Funeral services are being held March 7 in the Presbyterian Church at Alton of which she was a member.

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From the Alton Democrat, March 8, 1940:

MRS. VAN LAAR PASSES ON AT ALTON MON.
Lived Here Since 1882—Funeral Thursday

The passing of Mrs. Gerrit Van Laar Monday afternoon was a sad shock to the Alton community, where she had lived since 1882. She had been a semi-invalid for some years and few, save her family, were aware of her critical condition. For the past four or five years she has been ill much of the time and her constitution was weakened by much suffering. She passed away peacefully, convinced that her task on earth was finished.

Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at one o’clock in her home and at 1:30 o’clock in the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Dr. Munneke officiating.

Susan Den Beste was born at Pella, Iowa, on Nov. 9, 1872, and at the time of her death was 67 years, 3 months and 25 days of age. She came to Sioux county at the age of ten years, in 1882, and was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wisse of Alton. In the year 1893 she was married to Gerrit Van Laar. Three children were born to the union: Mrs. Nick Marra, Peter Van Laar and Fred Van Laar, all of Alton, all of whom survive Mrs. Van Laar, together with her husband.

She is also survived by six brothers and sisters, namely Mrs. James Den Hartog, Sr., of Orange City, who is her twin; Mrs. John Van Wyk, Hull; John Den Beste, Orange City; Will Den Beste, Crawford, Colorado; Dan Den Beste, Oskaloosa, Ia.; Fred Den Beste, Sioux Center. There are four half brothers and a half sister residing at Yakima, Washington; twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mrs. Van Laar was a devoted wife and mother and a kind neighbor, and will be missed by many friends. Losing her mother at an early age, she had a difficult childhood and suffered many hardships. The trials of life did not embitter her and were borne with Christian courage and fortitude. She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church and one of the first members of the Ladies Aid society.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate (informant Peter Van Laar) has Susan Van Laar, wife of Garrett Van Laar; born Nov. 9, 1872 in Pella; father James Den Besta, born in the Netherlands, mother’s name not known; resident of Alton 58 years; died in Alton at 2:30 p.m. March 4, 1940; cause, myocardial insufficiency, duration 1 month; other conditions, chronic bronchitis, duration 3 years; buried in Nassau Cemetery, Alton.

Her FindaGrave.com page gives her father as Peter Wisse (1837-1913). Husband Gerrit Van Laar (1869-1952). Children Jennie Van Laar Marra (1894-1981), Fred Van Laar (1896-1940), and Peter Van Laar (1899-1941).

The 1925 Iowa state census gives her father as John Den Beste and mother as “don’t know.”

No marriage record for Susan and Gerrit Van Laar was readily located online. The Alton Democrat (March 4, 1893) has this news note: Gerrit Van Laar and Miss Susan Wisse both of this city, were united in marriage by Rev. Lepeltak, last Wednesday afternoon. [March 2? or February 23?]