Berkenpas, Sipke, 1853-1929

BERKENPAS, HOGERHUIS, VIS, VANLAAR

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/4/2022 at 19:57:46

From the Hawarden Independent, Jan. 24, 1929:

Drops Dead on the Street

S. Berkenpas of Orange City, who had been suffering from heart trouble for some time, dropped dead on the sidewalk in front of the G. J. Slobe home the morning of Jan. 15th. He had suffered a severe attack during the night but the following day he felt better and went down town to make some purchases. While he was walking home he was stricken with the fatal attack. The deceased was 75 years old.

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From De Volksvriend, January 24, 1929 (in Dutch):

In connection with the sudden death of Mr. Sidney Berkenpas, the following is reported: The deceased was born in the Netherlands on 10 Aug 1853. There he married Tena Hoogenhuis. The couple was blessed with three children: Mrs. Susan Alkema of Wisconsin, Henry and Jacob Berkenpas of LeMars. Forty years ago the family came to America and settled at LeMars. After the death of the wife and mother, the father remarried in 1897, this time with Mrs. John Van Laar. From this union 5 children were born: Mrs. K. Baartman and Mrs. Rufus De Zeeuw of Middleburg, Wm. Berkenpas of Holland, Minn., Mrs. Arthur Sterkenburg, Volga, S.D. and Bert Berkenpas at home. The family moved from LeMars to Holland, Minn., and in 1916 came to Orange City and have lived here since then.

Besides his wife, children, and several grandchildren he leaves a brother, Leonard Berkenpas of Michigan. The children here for the funeral have all returned home.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate (informant Hy Berkenpas, LeMars) has Sipke Berkenpas, resident of Orange City; husband of Mrs. Van Laar; born August 10, 1953 in the Netherlands; parents’ names not known; in the U.S. 41 years and LeMars 12 years; died at 9:30 a.m. January 15, 1929; cause, chronic myocarditis and arterio sclerosis, duration unknown; contributory cause, embolism.

His FindaGrave.com page has Sipke Berkenpas, born 10 Aug 1854 in Sint Jacobiparochie, Het Bildt Municipality, Friesland, Netherlands; died 15 Jan 1929 in Orange City; buried in Memorial Cemetery, LeMars. Spouses Tetje Hogerhuis Berkenpas (1854-1894, married 1874) and Dirkje Vis Berkenpas (1864-1939, married 1898). Children Sijbrigje Berkenpas Aukema (1875-1942), Henry Berkenpas (1877-1970), Jacob Berkenpas (1881-1970), Gertie Berkenpas Starkenberg (1896-1981), William Berkenpas (1899-1993), Anna Berkenpas DeZeeuw (1901-1983), Dorothy Berkenpas Baartman (1902-1973), and Bert Berkenpas (1905-1976). There is a photo of his headstone.

WieWasWie.nl has a marriage index record for groom Sipke Berkenpas, age 20, born in St. Jacobiparochie, parents Tyle Jacobs Berkenpas and Antje Sipkes Vis; bride Tetje Hogerhuis, age 20, born in St. Jacobiparochie, parents Hein Sydzes Hogerhuis and Doutje Stevens Wassenaar; married in Het Bildt 23 April 1874.

His second wife was Dirkje (Vis) Van Laar. They seem to have actually married in December 1895: De Volksvriend (Orange City), 12 Dec 1895, announces a marriage license issued for Sipke Berkenpas (43) and Dirkje Vis (33). See her obituary (posted separately) for additional information.

The 1900 U.S. census shows Sepke Berkenpas (age 46), immigrated from the Netherlands in 1888, naturalized, farming in Fountain Prairie, Pipestone County, Minnesota, with wife Dirkje (39), immigrated in 1885, son Jake (18) from a first marriage, daughter Gerretye (3), born in Iowa, son Weinant (11/12), born in Minnesota, and adopted son Albert Vanlaa (6), born in Iowa. The family is still living there in 1910 (names given as Samuel and Dora). In 1920 Sipke (66), Dirke (54), and their two youngest children are living in Orange City; he is retired.