15 November 2012

Obituary--Mrs. Jentje Zuwerink

Now does anyone care to guess where Mrs Zuwerink was born?  With a name like that, it is clear to see that she was part of the German/Dutch immigration to our area.   Another personal connection to her is that she was the grandmother of my uncle (my dad's brother-in-law).  I always enjoy these chances to find out more about family.

From the 11 February 1937 Fremont Times Indicator.


Mrs Jentje Zuwerink, Old Resident of this County, Dies Friday

Mrs Jentje Zuwerink, a resident of this community for more than fifty years, died at the home of her son, Herman Zuwerink, 322 East Cherry street, last Friday following an illness of about two weeks.  She was seventy seven years of age.
Mrs Zuwerink was a native of the province of Friesland, the Netherlands, where she was born April 28, 1859.  Her maiden name was Jentje Koopman.  In 1886 she came to this country, at once taking up her residence near Fremont.  Two years later she was married to Geert Zuwerink of Bishop.  The couple made their home on a farm a mile west of Bishop where they lived until ten years ago.  At this time Mr. Zuwerink retired from farming and they moved to Fremont.  Mr. Zuwerink died January 13, 1929.  Mrs. Zuwerink had been in failing health for some time although she was able to make her way about the home and attended church regularly.  Two weeks ago she became ill with flu and death came Friday morning.
She leaves one son, Herman of Fremont, and three daughters, Mrs Harry Brouwer of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Bert Wolfsen of Fremont and Mrs. Charles S. Craigie of Cleveland, Ohio.  She is also survived by a brother Jacob Koopman of Los Angeles, Cal., and a sister, Mrs. John E. Frens of this city.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the home.  Rev. L. J. Lamberts officiating.  Interment was made at Maple Grove cemetery.

I believe that her son Herman was the father of my Uncle George.  I hoped to have a picture of Jentje  in my collection of pictures from my cousin, but there were none. (Although there was a wonderful one of Herman, his wife Mattie, and a one year old Uncle George).   
One thing I found very enlightening was the fact that Jentje's name was used, she was not called Mrs. Geert Zuwerink.  Although, I have found it more common to use the woman's first name if she is a widow, as she was.

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