Dykstra, Della (Mrs. Ralph), 1875-1940

DYKSTRA, BONTHUIS BONTHIUS, ALKEMA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2022 at 21:58:07

From the Sioux County Capital, April 4, 1940, Rock Valley news:

Word was received here last week of the death of Mrs. Della Dykstra in Pasadena, Calif. on March 17. She formerly lived here for many years. She is survived by her husband, Ralph, two daughters, Dorothy and Mrs. Stanley White of Dallas Center, Ia., and two sons, Clarence of San Gabriel, Calif. and Andrew of Jerome, Idaho, and a brother Dr. Andrew Bonthuis.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Rock Valley Bee is missing online for this time period.

The California Death Index has Della Dykstra, born 25 Dec 1875 in Illinois, died 17 March 1940 in Los Angeles, mother’s maiden name Alkema, father’s surname Bonthius.

Her FindaGrave.com page has Della Bonthius Dykstra, born 1875, died 1940, buried in Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California. Husband Ralph Dykstra (1882-1958). Two children listed: Sarah Berniece Dykstra White (1905-1979) and Clarence Ralph Dykstra (1906-1991), There is a photo of her headstone.

The Cook County, Illinois Marriages Index has Della Bonthius, age 26, married Ralph Dykstra, age 20, in Chicago on 8 Sep 1902.

The 1910 U.S. census for Chicago shows Ralph Dykstra, age 28, born in Michigan, parents born in Holland, married 8 years, a machinist in a car factory; wife Della, still age 26, born in Illinois, parents born in Holland, mother of 4 children, all living; and children Dorothy (6), Sarah (4), Clarence (3), and Andrew (1-6/12). The 1915 Iowa state census card for Della Dykstra (age 29) shows her in Rock Valley, has lived in Iowa 1 year, 7th grade education, Dutch Reformed church; Ralph Dykstra’s (age 32) card shows him to be a carpenter in Rock Valley, $500 earnings in 1914, 8th grade education, Dutch Reformed church.

In the 1920 census the family is farming in Sioux Township, Sioux County, Iowa. Ralph’s age is given as 37 and Della’s age is now 42. Although FindaGrave has Ralph’s death year as 1958, in the 1926 Pasadena city directory Della Dykstra is listed as widow of Ralph, living at 139 El Molino Ave. with Sarah Dykstra. An article in the Pasadena Post (29 Jun 1927) on Sarah’s wedding to Stanley White calls her the daughter of Mrs. Della Dykstra, not mentioning Ralph. In 1930 Della Dykstra (55) is listed as married but no husband is with her; she is living with widow Anna Van Der Werff (38), a practical nurse for a private family, and her 13-year-old son; Della’s occupation is servant for a private family.