Hide Article Text (OCR)
a Herald, June 10, 1921John olicnaar Answers the CallJohn H. Tollenaar, fourth son of Mr. anti Mrs. John Tollenaar, was born January 30th, 1871 at Pella. Iowa. lie grew to manhood in that community and entered into a friendship which •culminated in his marriage to Miss Nellie Paardekooper on September 20, 1892. The two be a an earths pilgrimage as one at Knoxville, which community was their home for two years. In 1.894 Mr. and Mrs. Tollenaar and their baby Josephine came to Ilon-durant. For 3d years Bonduiant was their home, until death broke up the home 3 years ago, when Mrs. Toll on-aar was taken from us. The past 3 years Mr. Tollenaar made his home with his daughter Leona.About four months ago Mr. Tollcn-aar was forcc-d to leave his work at the post ollice one morning and go to his home, and with blit the exception of a few days, remained there until his summons came. One of the griefs of his last few weeks was his inability to carry on his tasks as postmaster which he had so successfully and accommodatingly done for 171 a years. Mr. Tollenaar has left his imprint upon this community through this ami other services so faithfully rendered.He was interested in many public activities, but probably his keenest interest was in the school. Ho served as a member of the Board of Education for 10 years, declining to serve longer when ho became post mas ter. But his interest in the school never declined. In conversation with him at graduation time this spring he told me that he had children in the Bon-durant school since 1897, or 35 years. Mr. Tollenaar has been a member of three Fraternities and one Auxiliary, namely, The Modern Woodmen of the World, The Improved Order of Ked-men, The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Pocahontas Order. The honorary pallbearers were the two senior officers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, The Improved Order of Redman and Pocahontas respectively, the three orders in which he retained ‘his membership until death.Mr. Tollenaav’s parents had him sprinkled in the Dutch Reformed Church at Pella when a babe. Upon readhing adolescence he studied the prescribed course in catechism, passed and was confirmed in the church of his parents choice. Mr. Tollenaar had difficulty in accepting the creeds of Christendom and their implications, but he believed in mankind and a great, power over this universe. I pause here to read this poem which I ^think is applicable and appropriate.He Lived A Life iat was his creed ?'ipat was ms ereeu :do not know his creed, 1 only knowhat here below, he walked the common road nd lifted many a load, lightened th task,tightened the day for others toilinj on a weary way, his, his only need; I1 do not know his creed,that was. his creed? I never heard him speak f visions rapturous, of Alpine peak f doctrine, dogma, new or oi l; ut this 1 know, he was forever bold o stand alone, to face the challengeof each day, d live the truth, so far as he couldsee—s truth that evermore makes free, i creed? I care not what his creed; ough that never yielded he to greed t served a brother in his daily need; icked many a thorn and planted many a flower; jrifietl the service of each hour;,d faith in God, himself and fellow men; .rchance he never thought in termsecoia: tAwAn,MaiAn“W!Am“ThAnAboTnooiSawlodeandtheVllunlovesibl.of creed1; . , ,,nly know he lived a life^indeed.^U, Tollenaar was a great lover nf home and1 family and has urge to tinue living was greatly lessened in his help mate was taken. A at void came into Ins lite. rig children did all that was pos-e to fill that void. During his last ess his daughters ami sons iiums-id io his every need. The dauji-5 who lived near were by him ,ir-lly '•continually and those whose nes were distant came to be with i often. When death toa p. m. Saturday, June ITtJi he was rounded by his children for all weie cent in spirit, even though one was ;ent in bodyr ,,,Jr. Tollenaar departed ^om this . at the age of 62 years, 4 months 1 17 days:. He leaves to miss him children namely, Mr. and Bw-rks of Ankeny and Maxine of Bon rant; 11 grandchildren and two at grandchildren will miss gramlnm There now remain but two of his -hprs family, a sister, Mrs. Mary S Linden Of Pella, Iowa,a*l *rsrr:°*%«S'coiSS'will miss him, for«SStenet*«££»% «*XndsXouV.f»ofsand«muat w become accustomed toZ mailing ourtjl and greeting US at the post
Newspaper Details
Altoona Herald
Altoona, Iowa, US
Thu, Jun 22, 1933
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Rhonda T.
USA 13 Mar 2024
Other Publications Near Altoona, Iowa
Altoona Rustler
Altoona Herald
Altoona Ruster
