Bylsma, Fred, 1899-1940

BYLSMA, JONKER, VANMERSBERGEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2022 at 19:35:43

From the Alton Democrat, December 6, 1940:

Fred Bylsma Passes On At Lynden, Wash.

John Bylsma of Orange City received a telephone call Saturday notifying him of the passing of his brother, Fred Bylsma, of Lynden, Wash. He had not been in good health for several months but his death following a heart attack was a shock to family and friends in this county. His aged father, O. J. Bylsma, lived west of Orange City for many years and was a well known real estate dealer.

Mr. Bylsma was 41 years old and is survived by his wife and two children and by eight brothers and sisters: Mrs. Chris Geels and John Bylsma of Orange City, Charles of Seattle, Mrs. Richardson of Tacoma, Wash., Mrs. Harry Schuiteman of Ellenburg, Wash., Mrs. Lee Eilert of Santa Ana, Calif., Mrs. Gt. Noteboom of Lynden, Wash., and Gertrude of Lynden.

* * * * * * * * * *

From De Volksvriend, December 12, 1940, Lynden, Washington news (in Dutch):

The funeral services for Fred Bylsma, age 41, was held on 2 December in the 3rd Christian Reformed church, conducted by Rev. A. Van Dyken. Mr. Bylsma was born 28 June 1899 in Orange City, Iowa. At age 12 he moved with his parents, O. J. Bylsma, to Lynden, Wash. On 6 May 1920 he married Miss Minnie Van Mersbergen, who survives him with their two daughters, Bernice and Frances. He is also survived by his father O. J. Bylsma; six sisters, Mrs. Harry Schuitema, Ellensburg, Wash., Mrs. Gt. Noteboom, Lynden, Wash., Mrs. Chris Geels, Jr., Orange City, Ia., Mrs. Russell Richards, Tacoma, Wash., Miss Gertrude Bylsma, Lynden, Wash., Mrs. Lee Elliott, Santa Ana, Calif.; and two brothers, John of Orange City, Iowa, and Charles of Weattle, Wash.

* * * * * * * * * *

His FindaGrave.com page has Fred Bylsma, born 28 June 1899 in Orange City, died 29 Nov 1940 in Lynden, buried in Monumenta Cemetery, Lynden; parents Otto J. Bylsma (1861-1946) and Bessie Jonker Bylsma (1866-1934); seven siblings listed; wife Minnie Van Mersbergen Bylsma (1898-1991); daughters Bernice Alice Bylsma (1923-2014) and Frances Mildred Bylsma Heutink (1931-1965). There is a photo of the joint headstone of Fred and Minnie.