Kurvink, John, 1889-1940

KURVINK, REITZER, RETZER, KEATING, MICHELSON, VANGORKOM

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/15/2022 at 22:23:53

From the Rock Valley Bee, September 27, 1940:

Death of John Kurvink

Relatives and friends of John Kurvink were saddened Saturday evening when they received word of his death as a result of heart trouble. Readers will recall an item concerning Mr. and Mrs. Kurvink in a late issue of the Bee. He seemed well and happy at that time but was planning on going with his wife to Rochester, Minn., for a check-up at the clinic there this Saturday. Mr. Kurvink was buried at Martin, S.D. Tuesday

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 4, 1940:

J. Kurvink Was Born In Plymouth County In 1889

Funeral services were held last week Tuesday at the Presbyterian church at Martin, S.D. for the late John Kurvink, resident of Bennett county, that state, for the past 15 years. Mr. Kurvink was a resident of the Rock Valley vicinity for many years and was well known throughout this section of the county.

Rev. W. Waide, pastor of the Presbyterian church there, conducted the services. A quartet sang and a profusion of flowers attested to the high esteem in which Mr. Kurvink was held. Interment was at the Martin cemetery with friends and neighbors acting as pallbearers.

A number from Sioux county attended the funeral, including Ralph Kurvink of Hawarden, and others from away who were present included Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Brenner of Huron, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kurvink of Canton, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kurvink and son, Dick, of Taft, Calif.; Mrs. Dykstra of Corsica, S.D.

The Bennett County News pays the following tribute to the pioneer citizen:

John Kurvink, Jr., was born at Seania[i.e., Seney], Plymouth County, Iowa, on January 18, 1889, and passed away at his home, west of Martin, South Dakota, September 21, 1940, at the age of 51 years, 8 months and 3 days. His parents lived in Plymouth county for four years after his birth, then moved to Rock Valley, Iowa, where he lived until 1926, at which time he moved to Bennett county, South Dakota, purchasing the land on which he lived at the time of his death.

In 1916 he was married to Gladys Micholson Reitzer of Scotland, S.D., who, with their two children, Jay Dean, aged 19, who is now in the U.S. Army, and Joy Ann, aged 9, together with his three brothers, Ralph of Hawarden, Iowa; William of Canton, S.D., and Fred of Taft, Calif., and three sisters: Mary of Las Vegas, Nev., Nettie of Huron, S. Dak., and Jennie of Clarinda, Iowa; and a host of friends, are left to mourn his untimely passing away. His parents preceded him in death. In his childhood he was baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church at Rock Valley, Ia.

With tireless effort, constant attendance, and an unfailing faith in the future of this community, ably assisted by his good wife, he has transformed a tract of prairie land into one of the best improved country homes in the county, notwithstanding that during his fourteen years residence on this farm, several years of drouth, pestilence and heat destroyed the fruits of his labor, performed with a tired body and weary soul throughout the long hours of springtime; but with an unflinching will, and an unconquerable spirit he continued.

He arose last Saturday morning full of energy, vigor and faith, as usual going forth performing his daily duties, and in the evening had retired for a night’s repose; when, without apparent moment’s notice, the Grim Reaper gathered his soul into a chilly wind blown from the shoreless shadows outside the star-lit skies, into the Celestial Realm so beautifully described in Holy Writ. His noble character portraying love, honesty, fairness and consideration for everyone, has left a sweet memory in the heart of all who knew him, that shall be cherished as a priceless jewel long after his earthly form has crumbled to dust.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His FindaGrave.com page has John Kurvink, born 18 Jan 1889 in Seney, Plymouth County, Iowa; died 21 September 1940 in Martin, Bennett County, S.D.; buried in Martin Community Cemetery. Parents John Kurvink (1859-1932) and Marie Van Gorkom Kurvink (1864-1915). Four siblings and two half-siblings listed. Wife Gladys Retzer Kurvink-Keating (1894-1984). (Her FindaGrave page includes a brief obituary that calls her Gladys Keating, birth name Gladys Michelson, no husband listed other than John Kurvink, no explanation of where the Keating surname came from.) One child listed, Joy Ann Kurvink Baker (1931-2004).

His South Dakota Record of Marriage shows John Kurvink, age 27, resident of Rock Valley, Iowa, marrying Gladys Nickelson, age 21, resident of Delmont, Douglas County, S.D., nationality German, in Canton, S.D., November 30, 1916.

His World War I draft registration card (June 1917) says he was born Jan. 18, 1889 in LeMars; a resident of Rock Valley; claims exemption from the draft as a farmer with a dependent wife; tall, medium build, blue eyes, brown hair.