BROEK, BERT AND DENA (KEMPERS)
Bert Broek was born in Kampen, The Netherlands,on July25, 1891, to David and Margaret (Van Dyke) Broek. He spent his early years in Kampen and would often talk about ice skating on the dikes there.
The family of two brothers and three sisters came to America in May, 1904, and settled near Sioux Center. His father died several years after they came to America. Bert then lived with and worked for his brother, Wm. Broek.
Dena Kempers end Bert Broek, Wedding
Picture - 1917.
Bert married Dena Kempers at the Kempers farm home located three miles north and two and three-fourths mile east of Sioux Center, on March 15, 1917. They started farming three miles north end a half mile west of Sioux Center, living there until the spring of 1936, when they moved to the Kempers farm three miles north and two and three-fourths mile east of Sioux Center. They are the parents of six children, who today al live in Sioux Center, except Delbert, who lives three miles north and one-fourth mile east of Sioux Center.
Bert and Dena Broek's children are: Margaret, born January 24, 1918 - (married Joe Van Roekel); Barney, born February 2, 1920 - (married Priscilla De Groot); David, born December 10, 1923 - (married Thelma Heyman); Lillian, born November 29, 1925 - (married Warren Van Roekel); John James, born August 31, 1928 - (married Delma Schuiteman); Delbert, born April 22, 1937 - (married Annefeen Baker).
The family raised Duroc pigs and Shorthorn catlle. Bert and Dena Broek moved to Sioux Center in the summer of 1947, after their son returned home from the Service and married. Dave stayed on the family farm, and John helped him until he married. Delbert moved to Sioux Center with his parents because he was still in grade school.
Bert Broek died on November 26, 1963, at the age of 71.
Dena stayed in her home until the spring of 1974 when she moved to the Franken Manor. She learned to drive a car at the age of 71, after Bert died. She drove many years with much enjoyment.
Dena had a stroke in September, 1985, causing her to become a resident of the Nursing Wing of the Sioux Center Hospital until her death on November 19, 1988, at the age of 95.
They were life-long members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.
by Margaret Van Roekel
Funeral Services Held Last Thursday for Mr. Bert Broek
Funeral services for Bert Broek, 71, of Sioux Center, who died Monday November 26, at the hospital there, were held on Thursday, November 29 at the Bethel Christian Reformed church at Sioux Center. The Rev. Clarence Vander Plate officiated. Burial was in the Sioux Center Cemetery.
Mr. Broek was born July 25, 1891, at Kampen, in the Netherlands. He was married on March 15, 1917, to Dena Kempers. To this union seven children were born: Margaret (Mrs.Joe Van Roekel), Barney, David Lillian (Mrs. Warren Van Roekel), John and Delbert. One infant son preceded him in death. He is also survived by two brothers, William and John both of Sioux Center. Two sisters, Hilda (Mrs. Simon Faber) of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Effie (Mrs. Henry Altena) of Rock Valley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one grandchild. Mr. Broek was a life long member of the Bethel Christian Reformed church. Mr. Broek was a prominent pure-bred livestock breeder, living four miles south of Hull, until he retired sixteen years ago and moved to Sioux Center.
Sioux County Index 1962-12-06.
Dena Broek, 95, of Sioux Center died Saturday, November 19, at the Sioux Center Hospital Wing. Services were at 10:3.0 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, af Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with the Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Born Dena Kempers February 1, 1893, in Hull, she lived her youth near Sioux Center and attended country school. She married Bert Broek March 15,1917, in Sioux Center. The couple farmed near Sioux Center until 1946 when they retired and moved to town. He died November 26, 1962. She was a lifelong member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and the Sunshine Circle Group.
Survivors include four sons, Barney, David, John and Delbert, all of Sioux Center; two daughters, Margaret Van Roekel and Lillian Van Roekel, both of Sioux Center; 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Sioux Center News 1988-11-23.