KRUIZENGA, DERK AND DENA (WERKMAN)
Derk (Dick) Kruizenga was born on April 3, 1856 to Jan Pieters Kruizenga and his wife Aaltje Klaassens Danhof at 't Zandt, Groningen, Netherlands. Derk was in the National Military from 1875 to 1876 in the province of Groningen.
On March 26, 1881, Derk was united in marriage to Barberdina (Dena) Werkman at 't Zandt, Groningen, Netherlands. At the time of their marriage Derk was working as a farm hand residing in Zijldijk and Dena was working as a maid-servant residing in 't Zandt. They were both 24 years old at the time of their marriage.
In 1881 or 1882 they immigrated to America from 't Zandt, Groninger, Netherlands. They landed in Spring Lake, Michigan (near Grand Haven), but did not stay in this area for very long. They migrated to Sioux County, settling in Sioux Center, Iowa where they resided all the rest of their life. Mr. Kruizenga worked as a farm hand for Peter Schut. In 1944, Derk was the oldest member of the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. He died on February 28, 1944 at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 25 days from influenza. He is buried at Memory Gardens Cemetery at Sioux Center, Iowa.
Barberdina (Dena) Werkman was born October 11, 1857 to Hendrik Haijes Werkman and his wife, Jantje Jans Hut at Uithuizermeeden, Groninger, Netherlands. Dena died on July 27, 1923 of diabetes, at the age of 65 years, 9 months, and 16 days, and is buried at Memory Gardens Cemetery at Sioux Center, Iowa.
The Kruizenga's were the parents of eight children. All the children were born at Sioux Center and were baptized members of the First Reformed Church at Sioux Center.
The family of Baraberdina (Dena) Werkman
and Derk (Dick) Kruizenga Sr. ca. 1900-1905.
Back Row, L-R: Anna (Mrs. John J.H. Roze-
boom), Jennie (Mrs. Henry Roseboom), Ella
(Mrs. Jacob Borgman, Jr.), Henry and John
Kruizenga. Front Row, L-R: Barberdina (Dena),
Dick Jr., Dena, Dick Sr., and Peter Kruizenga.
from photocopy.
The Kruizenga children were:
Hendrik (Henry) Kruizenga, Sioux Center, Iowa, married to Grace Rensink and Anna Schuiteman, born May 5,1883, died May 17, 1943.
Aaltje (Ella) Kruizenga, Sioux Center, Iowa, married to Antonie T. Rensink, and Jacob Borgman Jr., born February 15, 1885, died November 23, 1952.
Jan (John) Kruizenga, Rock Valley, Iowa, married to Winifred Bonnema, born October 22, 1886, died August 30, 1969.
Jantje (Jennie) Kruizenga, Sioux Center, Iowa, married to Henry Rozeboom, born August 31, 1888, died December 31, 1942.
Anje (Anna) Kruizenga, Sioux Center, Iowa, married to John J.H. Rozeboom, born July 15, 1890, died June 19, 1969.
Dena Kruizenga, Sioux Center, Iowa, born June 15, 1892, died March 30, 1965.
Derk (Dick) Kruizenga Jr., Elkhorn, Wisconsin, married to Hattie Van Wyke, born March 26, 1894, died December 5, 1968.
Peter D. Kruizenga, Orange City, Iowa, married to Katherine Schaap, born October 30, 1897, died March 29, 1983.
by Mrs. Elaine Feldhacker