Straks, John Rev. 1878-1965 & Elizabeth Vis Family

STRAKS, VIS, NEEVAL, DEHAAN

Posted By: Sarah Theis - volunteer (email)
Date: 10/26/2024 at 11:40:17

Straks, John Rev. 1878-1965 & Elizabeth Vis Family

This story was taken from pages 499-500 of the Maurice Centennial Book (1891-1991). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg.

John H. Straks was born to Henry and Priscilla Straks of Alto, Wisconsin, in 1878. Following in his father’s footsteps, John attended the Western Theological Seminary and, a short time later married Elizabeth Vis of Harrison, South Dakota. His first assignment was in Clymer Hill, New York, where two daughters were born, Mildred and Eunice. Bernice and Hubert were born when they lived in Gibbsville, Wisconsin.

The family came to Maurice by train in 1920. They began their service to the First Reformed Church in the dead of winter. Bernice was enrolled in the Maurice school, but Mildred and Eunice attended the Academy in Orange City, because more Latin was offered there.

Mrs. Straks was a small frail woman but a great helper to Rev. Straks in the church and community. She was especially faithful in visitations of the sick and women’s and young girl’s organizations. She was a beautiful seamstress, making all the clothing for the family. Many of the items were made from clothing that was given to the family; one jacket especially remembered came from an old carriage or lap robe.

Rev. Straks was well known for his voice and musical ability. He sang in community cantatas in Maurice, and directed the church choir and men’s chorus. He sang in a quartet along with Conrad De Jong, Jake Kuiken, and Peter Van Roekel. For many years he was asked to lead the singing for area mission fests and women’s conferences. Some of his favorite hymns were: “Throw out the Life Line”, “Rescue the Perishing”, “O Zion Haste”.

In those days the pastor was responsible for teaching catechism classes, lead prayer meetings, visit the sick, and assist at teacher’s meetings. The Christian Endeavor youth group was always a special joy to both Rev. and Mrs. Straks as they loved young people. I remember him skating with them at Arnold’s Park.

Rev. Straks still found time to tend a very large fruit and vegetable garden. The strawberry bed was weedless, as was the rest of it, but the entire family had to pitch in to pick them when they ripened. Flowers of all kinds graced the yard as well. In 1933, when there was a family wedding, hollyhocks were used on the church pews and windows. It was a double ring ceremony as Mildred married Rev. Theodore Mansen of Middleburg, and Eunice married Rev. Cornelius De Jong of Orange City.

In 1936, Rev. and Mrs. Straks moved to Sanborn, to serve a church there. At that time, Hubert and Bernice were in college. They were there until retirement in 1950. Mrs. Straks died in October 1960, and Rev. Straks died in the winter of 1965.

Their children are all living: Mildred, age 83, resides in Denver; she is widowed. Eunice and her husband also live in Denver. Bernice lost her first husband, Clarence Kuiken, in 1970, and married John Buysman in 1974. They live in Sheldon. Hubert and Nelly also call Sheldon their home.
(end of story in the Maurice book)

RESEARCH Notes: From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

John Hubert Straks, Rev., born 22 Aug 1878 Alton Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, died 24 Jan 1965 Orange City IA. His parents were Henry Straks, Rev., born 13 Mar 1853 Alton WI, died 27 Jun 1912 Waupun, WI; and Priscilla Neeval born Mar 1855 Alton WI and died 1920 WI. John married 6 Apr 1904 at Harrison SD to Elizabeth Betsy Marie Vis 1881-1960.

Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Marie Vis was born 27 Jan 1881 Orange City IA died 29 Oct 1960 Ashton IA. Her Parents were Heijme Vis born 17 Oct 1855 Zaandam, Noord Holland, Netherlands and died 3 Nov 1913 Harrison SD and Maarigje ‘Mary’ De Haan born 13 Mar 1860 Pella IA died 27 Apr 1959 Orange City IA. She married Rev. John Straks and they had four children.

CHILDREN:

1: Mildred C. Straks born 18 May 1906 Clymer, Chautauqua, New York, died 1 Jun 2000 Stephenson, IL buried in Fort Logan cemetery CO. Husband Theodore Albert Mansen 1905-1984 He is buried in Fort Logan National cemetery, CO . No children mentioned in Find A Grave.

2. Eunice Genevieve Straks born 14 Jan 1908 Corry, Erie PA died 1 Mar 2006 Aurora CO. Husband Cornelius ‘Cornie’ Van Rooyen De Jong 1908-1998. Children Esther M. De Jong (Lewis) Hudson 1929-2001, Betty Ann De Jong Brunelle 1934-1999 and John of Bloomington MN

3. Bernice Elizabeth Straks born 13 Mar 1914 Gibbsville, Sheboygan, WI died 19 Oct 1993 Sheldon, IA. Husband Clarence Donald Kuiken 1913-1970. Children: one listed Marilyn Joyce Kuiken 1939-1993. Bernice’s second husband was John Buysman 1907-1990. See Bernice’s obit on this web page as Buysman, Eunice (Mrs. John ) 1914-1993.

4. Hubert Gerald Straks born 21 Apr 1917 Gibbsville WI died 18 Jn 2000 O’Brien Co. IA. Wife Nelly Martha De Vries 1919-2031. Children a son and his wife, Jerry and Dorothy Straks of Snoquatmie, Wash.; two daughters and their husbands, Barbara and Dennis Kuyper of Creston, Iowa and Rachel and Steven Nelson of Joice, Iowa. See the obit of Hubert Straks on this web page.

OBITUARY OF REV. JOHN STRAKS 1878-1965
Source: Alton Democrat (1-28-1965)
Born: August 22, 1878 Died: January 24, 1965
Source: Alton Democrat (1-28-1965)
Born: August 22, 1878 Died: January 24, 1965

Reverend J. H. Straks Funeral At County Seat
Funeral services for the Reverend John H. Straks, 86, a 60-year minister of the Reformed Church of America who died Sunday evening in a nursing home, were at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City.

Reverend Straks was born August 22, 1878, at Alto, Wisconsin, and married Elizabeth Vis April 6, 1904 at Harrison, South Dakota. He was graduated from Hope College and Western Theological Seminary at Holland, Michigan.
He served a church in Clymer, New York for six years, Gibbsville, Wisconsin for 12 years; Maurice, Iowa for 15 years and Sanborn, Iowa for 14 years.
After the couple retired to Orange City in 1950, Reverend Straks continued to serve as the need arose in various pulpits for the next 10-years.

Mrs. Straks died about three years ago. Reverend Straks later resided in the rest home for more than a year.

Survivors include one son, Hubert of Sheldon; three daughters, Mrs. Theodore Mansen of Burlington, Iowa, and Mrs. C. DeJong of Aurora, Colorado, both wives of ministers, and Mrs. Clarence Kuiken of Sheldon: two sisters, Mrs. Jessie Van de Wetering of Bellingham, Washington, and Mrs. Hilda Schut of Tempe, Arizona, 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

OBITUARY OF ELIZABETH STRAKS 1881-1960
Sioux County Capital, November 3, 1960
Mrs. John H. Straks nee Elizabeth M. Vis was born January 18, 1881 in Orange City, Iowa where her father was a druggist. She was the oldest of eight children born to Heyme & Mary Vis. The family moved to Harrison, S.D. in 1885 where she lived until she married Rev. John H. Straks on April 6, 1904.
She faithfully served with her husband for six years in Clymer Hill, N.Y., twelve years in Gibbsville, Wis., fifteen years in Maurice, Iowa and fourteen years in Sanborn, Iowa. In 1950 they retired to Orange City where she lived until she was taken ill and hospitalized in February 1959 and has been in failing health since that time.
She was called home on Saturday evening, October 29 at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 11 days.
She is survived by her husband, four children, Mildred, Mrs. Ted Mansen of Burlington, IA; Eunice, Mrs. C. De Jong of Aurora, Colo; Bernice, Mrs. Clarence Kuiken, and Hubert, both of Sheldon, IA; thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Two sisters and one brother also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers and two sisters.