BROEK, JOHN AND ELSIE E. (WASSINK)

John Broek, son of David and Margaret (Van Dyke) Broek was born in Kampen, Netherlands on March 29, 1888. John did carpenter work in the Netherlands. His parents and brothers: William and Bert and sisters: Hilda, Christina and Effie all arrived in America in May, 1904, when John was 16 years old. They arrived in Hull, Iowa and were met at the depot by a cousin, Lammert Van Wyhe. They settled on a farm by Sioux Center where they farmed as a family.

Elsie Elizabeth (Wassink) Broek was born on November 20, 1888, in Arnhem, Gelderlands, Netherlands, to Arend and Nellie (Mulder) Wassink. They arrived in America in March, 1894, with children: William, Cornelia, Albert, Elsie Elizabeth, Arend H. and Bertha. They made their home near Sioux Center for one year. At that time it was very hard to get work even at 75c a day. They and some others from the area moved to Mississippi. After staying about four years they moved to Texas about 40 miles west of Galveston, near a bajou or river and lived there for one and a half years. When Elsie was 12 years old, they lived through the Galveston storm where everything was flooded. After this storm they moved to a Sioux Center farm in 1900.

John and Elsie were married on February 26, 1913. They farmed by Sioux Center, Sanborn, Perkins and then settled in Sioux Center. John served on the Church consistory and on the Christian School board.

To this marriage eleven children were born: David, Arend, Margaret, Nellie, Mathilda, Bertha, William, Cornelius, John, Elsie Elizabeth and Christine Evelyn. All the children were born at home and attended country school and later Christian School.

David was born February 1, 1914 and married Cornelia Vande Garde on February l, 1939. They have three sons: Jay, Darwin, and Roger. David passed away on May 30, 1989.

Arend was born on June 18, 1915 and married Cora Jansen on January 7,1938. They have five daughters: Delores (Lori), Joan, Arlene, Linda and Marianne. Arend passed away on May 21, 1982.

Margaret was born December 25, 1916.and married William De Koter on December 3, 1943. They have three children: Gary, Elaine. and Daniel.

Nellie was born May 26, 1918 and was married to James Franken on May 26, 1939. They have three children: Arthur, Eleanor and John.

Mathilda was born February 27, 1921 and married John Van Beek on December 9, 1947. They have three children: Marilyn, Alan and Marla.

Bertha was born November 24, 1922, and was married to Clarence Klein on August.7, 1946. They have four children: Arlin, Wanda, Ruth and Kenneth.

William (Bill) was born January 18, 1925 and married Ina Altena on December 28, 1945. They have three daughters: Rosella, Paulette and Rebecca.

Cornelius (Cornie) was born January 23, 1926 and married Albertha (Berdie) Hulstein on February 11, 1948. They have four daughters: Judith, Fonda, Diane and Kathy.

John was born on June 2, 1927 and married Gertrude De Vos on February 6, 1948, They have five sons: Leslie, Harlan, Daniel, Mark and Jon Eric.
Elsie was born January 12, 1930 and married Gaynor Te Grotenhuis on January 3, 1951. They have three children: Donna, Wayne and Beth.

Christine (Chris) was born June 21, 1931 and was married to Peter Schouten on January 12, 1955. They have three children: Sandra, Sharon and Jeffrey.

John enjoyed carpenter work for a hobby and sang with the men's choir called "Lofstem", Elsie made rugs, did sewing and canning, In 1961, Elsie surprised all of her children by making each of them a quilt. She would work on them when John was outdoors end had quite a few of them done before he realized what she was doing. The family also enjoyed singing together.

John passed away October 30, 1973 and Elsie passed away April 21, 1964.

As of this writing there are 39 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

by Diane (Broek) Van De Berg