Funeral services were held at the First Christian Reformed church in Hull November 16 for John R. Rens, 84, of Hull, who died November 13 at his home following a heart attack. Services were conducted by the Rev. Willard DeVries and burial was made in Hope cemetery under the direction of the Co-operative Funeral home of Sioux Center.
Mr. Rens was born March 18, 1887, at Hull and was a lifelong resident of that community. He married the former Mina Van Maanen in Sioux Center February 27, 1914.
Survivors include the widow; four sons, Robert of Burbank, Calif., Albertus John of Hull, Marvin of Hills, Minn., and Delmar of San Valley, Calif.; four daughters, Mrs. John (Angeline) Bekius of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Arie (Mina) Burggraaf of Rock Rapids, Mrs. John A. (Alberta) DeGroot and Mrs. James (Janet) Kroese, both of Hull; 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
-Obituary from The Sioux Center News (11/18/1971)
Mrs. John R. Rens, 86, of Hull, died Friday in a hospital at Rock Valley. Services were at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the First Christian Reformed Church of Hull. The Rev. Marvin Heyboer officiated. Burial was in Hope Cemetery at Hull. Family visitation was Monday in the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center.
Mrs. Rens, the former Mina Van Maanen, was born Oct. 6, 1895 at Sioux Center. She married John Rens on Feb. 27, 1914 at Sioux Center. They farmed near Perkins until 1957 when they retired and moved to Hull. Mr. Rens died in 1971.
Survivors include four sons, Robert of Escondido, Calif., Albertus of Hull, Marvin of Hills, Minn., and Delmar of Sunland, Calif.; four daughters, Mrs. Angeline Bekius of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Arie (Mina) Burgraas of Rock Rapids, and Mrs. John A. (Alberta) De Groot and Mrs. Janes (Janet) Kroese, both of Hull; two sisters, Mrs. Winnie Vis of Hull and Mrs. Ben Bleyenberg of Sioux Center; 22 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
-Obituary from The Sioux Center News (6/2/1982)
Mr. Clarence Sybesma, prominent livestock dealer, feeder, and hauler, died at the LeMars hospital Friday evening, Feb. 9 at 8:15 p.m. He had been ill for the last 4 1/2 months with rheumatic fever and heart complications.
He was born Mar. 17, 1911 on a farm near Sioux Center and lived in this community all his life. On Feb. 27, 1935 he was united in marriage to Angeline Rens.
This union was blessed with 3 children, Sylvia Joyce age 13, Myra Eileen age 11, Syne age 8, who with the following brothers and sisters mourn his early departure, David of Alton, William, John, Betsy, Gertrude, Stanley, all of Hull, Margaret (Mrs. Paul Altena), Syne, Christena (Mrs. Gerrit Rens) of Sioux Center.
His parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Syne Sybesma, preceded him in death. His father on Jan 14, 1942, and his mother on Feb 10, 1950.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 13 at the First Christian Reformed Church with Rev. B. J. Haan officiating. Burial took place at the local cemetery and six of his cousins were pallbearers: David, Barney, and Marion Brock, Dave Altena, Geo. Bierma and Frank Fiekema.
-Obituary from The Sioux Center News (2/15/1951)
Angeline (Rens) Sybesma Bekhuis
Angeline Sybesma Bekhuis, 83, died Sept. 14, 1998, at the Oak Park Care Center in Sheldon. Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 18, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. The Rev. John Vermeer officiated. Interment was at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.
Angeline was born December 11,1914, the daughter of John R. and Mina (Van Maanen) Rens near Perkins. She graduated from the Perkins Christian Grade School and made profession of faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull.
On February 27,1935, she was married to Clarence Sybesma. They had three children, Sylvia, Myra and Syne. They lived on a farm near Sioux Center and attended the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. They moved into Sioux Center and Clarence continued his farming, trucking and cattle business. Clarence died February 9,1951.
Angeline married John Bekhuis of Pease, Minn., on August 11, 1961. They were members of the Home Missions Church at Inver Grove Heights, Minn., where she was active in Women's Friendship Society, Evangelism Committee and Calvinettes. She played the piano at the community nursing homes and taught release time. John died on March 26,1989.
Angeline moved to Sheldon, where she was an active member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. She was involved in the Golden Hour Circle and participated in neighborhood Bible study groups. She enjoyed making quilts for her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by one son, Syne and his wife, Helen, of Ketchikan, Alaska; two daughters, Sylvia and her husband, Bob Buyert, of Sheldon, and Myra and her husband, Earl Heibult, of Alburquerque, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Robert and Thea Rens of San Marcos, Calif., Al and Coba Rens of Hull, Marvin and Evie Rens, of Hills, Minn., and Delmar and Mae Rens of Sunland, Calif.; three sisters, Mina and Arie Burggraff of Rock Rapids, Alberta and Paul Bolks and Janet and Jim Kroese, all of Hull; three step children; relatives and friends.
-Obituary from The Sioux County Index (9/30/1998)
ROCK RAPIDS--Mina Burggraaf, 87, Rock Rapids, died Sunday, Jan. 4, at her residence.
Services were Thursday, Jan. 8, at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, under the direction of Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids.
Mina Burggraaf, daughter of John R. and Mina (Van Maanen) Rens, was born Aug. 16, 1916, in Perkins. She was raised on the family farm and attended Perkins Christian School. After her education, she worked for various families in the Perkins area. She made her public confession of faith at the Christian Reformed Church in Hull.
She married Arie Burggraaf of Rock Rapids on March 28, 1945, at the Rens family farm near Perkins. They farmed northwest of Rock Rapids until 1971 when they moved into town. Mr. Burggraaf died June 30, 1999. She moved to Rosewood Heights Apartments in late December 2003.
Throughout her life she enjoyed gardening, canning, family reunions and going to community events where she could visit with her friends. She was a member of First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Her family and friends admired her for a strong work ethic and her moral standards.
Survivors include a daughter, Joan Snowberger of Prescott Valley, AZ; a son, Alvin and Julie Burggraaf of Mount Pleasant; a son-in-law, Merlin Menning of Edgerton, MN; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bertie Bolks of Hull, and Janet Kroese of Hull; and three brothers, Albert Rens of Hull, Marvin Rens of Hills, MN, and Delmar Rens of Sun Valley, CA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arie Burggraaf; a daughter, Marlys Menning; a great-granddaughter, Alison Faye; a brother, Robert Rens; and a sister, Angeline Bekius.
Source: Northwest Iowa Review, Jan. 10, 2004.
Robert Rens, 83, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003.
Born March 17, 1919, in Perkins Corner, Iowa, he lived in San Marcos for 6 1/2 years. He retired in 1980 as a journeyman plumber. He served with Patton's 3rd Army during World War II, participating in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the United Reformed Church. He was a volunteer with Habit for Humanity and with his church.
Mr. Rens was preceded in death by his wife, Lena Rens, in 1995. He is survived by his wife of 6 1/2 years, Theodora Meinnen Rens of San Marcos; son and daughter-in-law Arlen and Robie Rens of Woodstock; daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Bill Moses of Henderson, Nev.; brothers and sisters-in-law Al and Coba Rens of Hull, Iowa, Marvin and Evie Rens of Hills, Minn., and Delmar and Mae Rens of Sun Valley; sisters and brother-in-law Alberta and Paul Bolks of Hull, Mina Burggraaf of Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Janet Kropse of Hull; grandchildren Carol, Shannon and Rob; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today, Jan. 9, at United Reformed Church with the Rev. Stephen Donovan officiating. Private interment will take place at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
The family suggests memorial donations to the Calvin Christian School, 2000 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026 or the Elizabeth Hospice, 150 W. Crest Ave., Escondido, CA 92025.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.
North County Times
John A. De Groot, 63, Hull, passed away Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Mr. De Groot was born June 4, 1922, at Hull, the son of George J. De Groot and Gertrude Brunsting De Groot. He married Alberta Rens on June 28, 1946 in Hull. They made their home in Hull where he worked as a building mover. In 1948 the couple moved north of Hull where they farmed until August of 1962.
They returned to town where he was an auctioneer, and a realtor. He also became associated with the De Koster Insurance Agency. Mr. De Groot was an active member of First Reformed Church. He was president of the board of directors of Hope Cemetery, service officer of Wegman-Koele Post 380 of the American Legion, former president of Northwest Iowa Realtors Association, member of the Hull Kiwanis Club and Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority. He was also affiliated with Modern Woodmen of America.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Louis.
Services were at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Gerald Vander Velde and the Rev. Henry Vermeer officiated. Burial was in Hope Cemetery under direction of the Kraai-Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.
-Obituary from The Sioux County Capital
(8/15/1985)
Mrs. Alberta Bolks, age 89, of Hull, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2011, at the Hudson Heathcare Center in Hudson, South Dakota.
There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, June 1, at 2:00pm, at the American Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Steven Bierly will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday, at 1:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.
Visitation will be after 6:00pm on Tuesday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the funeral home.
Alberta was born on May 23, 1922, in rural Hull, the daughter of John R. and Mina (Van Maanen) Rens. She was raised at Perkins.
On June 28, 1946, she married John Arnold De Groot in Hull. They made their home in Hull, where "Berdie" did housekeeping for many families. John passed away on August 10, 1985, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
On May 14, 1988, she married Dr. Herbert Paul Bolks in Hull. They continued to live in Hull, where Alberta was employed at the Pleasant Acres Care Center. Paul passed away on May 8, 2009, in Hull.
In 2006, she became a resident of Pleasant Acres. She moved to Hudson in February of 2010.
Mrs. Bolks was a member of the American Reformed Church and the Wegman-Koele American Legion Post Auxiliary in Hull. She enjoyed crocheting.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters, Angeline Bekius, Mina Burggraaf, Robert Rens, Janet Kroese, and Marvin Rens.
Memorials may be directed to the Hull Christian School.
-Obituary from Oolman Funeral Home
Mr. James Kroese, age 78, of Hull, passed away Friday, May 3, 2002, at the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon. A funeral service was held on Monday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m., at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Carl Klompien officiated. Interment followed at the Hope Cemetery in Hull under the direction of the Oolman Funeral Home of Hull.
James was born December 6, 1923 at Hull, the son of Joe and Alice (Brummel) Kroese. He was raised on his parents' farm and attended country school in rural Boyden.
On March 25, 1948, he married Janet Rens at Perkins. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to a farm just south of Hull, where they raised their family. In April of 1995, James and Janet retired into Hull.
Mr. Kroese was a life long member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull, where he had been a deacon and an elder on the consistory. He was very active in the church, teaching catechism classes and attending various Bible Societies faithfully. He had served on the boards of directors of the Hull Christian School, the Farmers Cooperative Gas and Oil, and the Cooperative Elevator.
"Jim" was a farmer at heart, and his family was very important to him. He enjoyed family gatherings, sports and joyful music. He will be remembered as always being ready to help others.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials are being directed to Western Christian High School in Hull.
-Obituary from The Siouxland Press
(5/8/2002)
Mrs. Janet Kroese, age 84, of Hull, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at the Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley.
There will be a funeral service on Monday, October 13, at 10:00am, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Paul Hansen will officiate. Interment will follow at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. Visitation will be after 2:00pm on Sunday, with the family present from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.
Janet was born on December 20, 1923, in rural Hull, the daughter of John R. and Mina (Van Maanen) Rens. She was baptized at the First Christian Reformed Church with James Kroese, her future husband. She also made profession of her faith there.
She was raised in Perkins, where she graduated from the Christian School, and she attended Western Christian High School. At the age of 16, she completed a six-week summer course to become a certified teacher. For six years, she enjoyed teaching all eight grades in country schools in Capel Township and later Lincoln Township, near Boyden and Orange City. She lived with families of her students and became close to them. During retirement, many students contacted her.
On March 25, 1948, Janet married Jim on the Rens family farm near Perkins. A year later, they moved to a farm just south of Hull, where she was a homemaker, and they raised their family. In April of 1995, they retired into Hull. Mr. Kroese passed away on May 3, 2002, in Sheldon, after a battle with cancer.
She was a life-long active member of the First Christian Reformed Church, where in early years she served as a Sunday school teacher who was always eager to study the next lesson. She and her husband faithfully attended Bible studies, and later she participated in Coffee Break with friends and neighbors. She loved learning and appreciated her New International Version Life Application Bible, marveling at how "what had just been words before, now became understood insights." She was proud of her Christian heritage and involved in collecting trivia and updating family genealogy books. She volunteered many hours in support of Christian education, helping make pigs-in-the-blanket and sewing blankets.
Mrs. Kroese was a born organizer and enjoyed planning special events. She looked forward to family reunions, and time with family members was very important to her. Each birthday party was special, and she attended the school programs of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and visited their classrooms. Unable to drive, she kept in touch with her nephews, nieces, and other dear ones by telephone and mail. She will be remembered for her many acts of kindness, including putting great thought into the encouragement cards she sent. One of her last projects was compiling pictures and stories about Perkins.
Janet liked crafts and gardening. She was a hard worker, who filled many shelves on the farm with canned goods. She had a "green thumb" with house plants and enjoyed giving away slips of them. She also made quilts and Afghans for every member of her family, and she crocheted beautiful items.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant great-granddaughter, Ava Allison Scholten; two sisters; and a brother.
Memorials will be directed to Western Christian High School and the Hull Christian School.
-Obituary from Oolman Funeral Home
Marvin Rens, age 78 of Hills, MN, died Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Monday, April 20th at First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Falls, SD, with Pastor Calvin Hoogendoorn officiating. Burial will follow at United Reformed Cemetery in Hills, MN. Visitation will be Sunday, April 19th with family receiving friends from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills.
Marvin Rens was born December 22, 1930 near Perkin's Corner, Hull, Iowa, the son of John and Mina (VanMaanen) Rens. He was raised on farm and attended Hull Christian School, graduating from 8th grade in 1943. He started working at an early age, doing odd jobs, such as carpentry work, owning his own gravel truck and feed grinding business, also custom hail bailing, all before the age of 19.
On February 19, 1952, Marvin was united in marriage to Evelyn "Evie" Van Den Oever at the First Reformed Church of Hull, IA. He then entered the U.S. Army on October 14, 1952, serving 17 months in Germany. He received his honorable discharge in 1954 and returned home to Evie where he lived and farmed for a year west of Rock Rapids, IA. Then in 1956 they moved to near Hull, IA and in 1959 they purchased a farm north west of Hills, MN where they remained. Marvin farmed with his family by his side until 1993, after he was diagnosed with early onset of dementia. He fought the good fight with pride and dignity.
Marvin was known as a hard worker, humble and strong man, and also for his passion for farming. He enjoyed Rat Terrier dogs, tinkering in his tool shed and traveling with his wife, Evie. On March 31, 2009, Marvin entered the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD with health complication and remained there until this past Thursday, April 16, 2009 where he died at the age of 78.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mina Rens; an infant daughter, Laurie Ann Rens; a brother, Robert Rens; and three sisters, Angeline Bekuis, Mina Burgraaf and Janet Kroese.
-Obituary from Jurrens Funeral Home