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VAN DE BERG, RALPH J. AND ALT JE "ELLA" (KOSTERS)

Ralph J. and Altje "Ella" (Kosters) Van De Berg established their home on the farm that has been homesteaded by his parents, John and Wilhelmina (Kastein) Van De Berg. Their home was the first wooden house built in Welcome Township. See their separate story. Ralph was born on March 12, 1878, on a farm one mile west of Newkirk, Iowa. Ella also known as Alice was born to Hein and Gerdena (Kosters) Kosters on December 15, 1880, at Orange City, Iowa. They ware married on February 13, 1898 and had a family of four sons and three daughters: John, Gerdena, Henry, Wilhelmina, William, Ralph, and Dora. Ralph served as rural school director for Welcome Township.

Deep sorrow came to their family when their daughter, Dora, died as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 23 years.

In 1914, Ralph owned a Buick automobile that failed to start one day while parked at the First Reformed Church; he traded it for a brand new 1926 Buick, but he never drove it. He told his sons that he had always taken them where necessary and now it was their turn to drive him.

Ralph J. Van De Berg farm

They retired in Sioux Center at 107 4th Ave. S.E. Ralph walked regularly to the farms of their children, until his health didn't allow it. He passed away on March 8, 1955. Ella later lived in the Sioux Center Hospital Nursing Wing until she passed away on December 10, 1966. The children's families are as follows:

John R. Van De Berg was born March 6, 1901 and married Ada Doornink. They were from Sioux Center and the parents of two children; Alice (Mrs. Marvin. R. Kuyper) and Elmer R. Van De Berg. John passed away in 1983.

Gerdena Van De Berg was born August 4, 1904 and married Anthony Van Ravenswaay. They ware from Sioux Center and the parents of nine children: Alice (Mrs. Fred Dooyema), Gertrude (Mrs. William Horstman), Richard married Shirley De Raad, Ralph Van Ravenswaay, Carol (Mrs. Gerrit Koedam), Harold married Alma Toering, Rena (Mrs. John Van Voorst), Anthony Van Ravenswaay, and Mary Ann (Mrs. Ed Zuchlag).

L-R: Minnie Punt, Gerdena Van Ravenswaay, Ella Van De Berg, Ralph R. Van De Berg, Ralph J.
Van De Berg, Wm. R. Van De Berg, John R. Van De Berg, Henry R. Van De Berg.

Henry R. Van De Berg was born September 26, 1907 and married Della Kroon. They were from Sioux Center and the parents of eight children: Elma (Mrs. Lloyd Van Roekel), Verna (Mrs. Arend J. Sandbulte), Harold married Joan Schoep, Eldora (Mrs. Harold Van Zandbergen), Hendrene (Mrs. John J. Zoet), Ralph H. married Mary Vander Esch, Wilmer married Wynetta Compaan, and Ardith Van De Berg. Henry passed away in 1970.

Minnie Van De Berg was born September 29, 1909 and married Henry A. Punt. They were from Sioux Center and the parents of seven children: Donald married Alvina Vande Kamp, Ralph married Arlene Rozeboom, Audrey (Mrs. Lawrence Groen), Lloyd married Gracia Vander Kamp, Leroy married Judith Visser, Henry married Ann Jansen, and Dorothy (Mrs. Curtis Van Briesen).

Gerrit William Van De Berg was born May 23, 1913 and married Lavonne Hubers. They ware from Sheldon, Iowa, and the parents of nine children: Muriel (Mrs. Robert Schaa), Roger married Regina Merritt; Howard married Mary Ebel, Gerri (Mrs. William Hayes) Doris Van De Berg, Linda (Mrs. Dave Ossenfort), Michael married Elizabeth Trossen, Sheila (Mrs. William Simenz) and Tomas Van De Berg. Gerrit William "Bill" passed away in 1971.

Dora Van De Berg was born in 1915 and died at the age of 23 years from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Ralph R. Van De Berg was born February 19, 1917 and married Hattie Wolfswinkel. They were from Sioux Center and the parents of five children: Harlan married Nadine Toering, Rosella (Mrs. Harold Vander Weide),:Allen married Kathryn Klein, Norman married Sheryl Van Voorst, and Ruth (Mrs. Jay Lyftogt). Hattie passed away in 1969. In 1982, Ralph married Jennie Cleveringa. They now reside in Orange City.

Source: Sioux Center Iowa 1991 Centennial Book-- Contributor, Mary Haverhals