Kortlever Tombstone
Maaike Flora Bel Kortlever Dies
Maaike survived John by several years and was with her daughter Mary when Mary dies of tuberculosis in 1926. Maaike herself will die of the same disease on 15 September 19311 and is buried beside Jan in Monumenta Cemetery.
FINAL RITES CONDUCTED FOR MRS JOHN KORTLEVER
LYNDEN WOMAN PASSES AWAY SUDDENLY FRIDAY MORNING [Sat 15 Aug 1931 per Death Cert]
Lynden said farewell to another of its honored citizens Monday [17Aug] afternoon when funeral services were held at the First Reformed Church for Mrs. John Kortlever, who passed away at her home in this city Saturday at 11 am.
The Rev. Vaner Woods of Oak Harbor officiated at the services. Burial was made in a local cemetery. Knapp & Knapp had charge of funeral arrangements.
Although Mrs. Kortlever had not been in good health for some time, her death came suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday morning. She was 78 years, 6 months, 10 days old.
Mrs. Kortlever had lived in Lynden and vicinity for the last 31 years. She was born in The Netherlands on Feb 5, 1853, and was married there to John Kortlever. The couple came to the U.S. 42 years ago and settled in Kansas [should say Iowa] where they lived until 1900, when they moved to Whatcom County.
Mr. Kortlever died 9 years ago this month. Surviving relatives include 2 sons, Hugo and John C. and 2 daughters, Mrs. Ren Van Diest and Mrs. Herman Pen. All reside in the Lynden district with the exception of Mrs. Pen, who lives near Sumas. 29 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren also survive.”2
1. Whatcom County, Washington, death certificate no. 90 (15 Aug 1931), Maaike Kortlever; Washington State Vital Records, Olympia, Washington.
2. “Final Rites conducted for Mrs. John Kortlever,” (Lynden) Lynden Tribune, Thur., 20 Aug 1931.
John Kortlever Dies
On 15 August 1922 Jan Kortlever died at the age of 73 of a heart attack.1 He was buried in Monumenta Cemetery.
WILL HOLD KORTLEVER SERVICES NEXT MONDAY
Funeral services for the late John Kortlever will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at the family home, and at 1:30 at the Reformed Church on Grover Street. Rev. H. K. Pasma will conduct the services.
Mr. Kortlever passed away suddenly Tuesday evening a few minutes after retiring. He had been in apparent good health and the news of his passing came as a shock to his many friends. He had resided in the Lynden district for twenty-two years, and was universally esteemed and respected.
Mr. Kortlever was 73 years, 6 months and 27 days old. He was born in The Netherlands. He was married to Maaike Flora Bell in 1873. He came to the United Sates in 1883, and lived in Iowa for 13 years. After being in Minnesota for four years, he moved to Lynden.
Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Hugo and John of Lynden; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Burgraff, Mrs. Rendit Van Diest of Lynden, and Mrs. H. Pen of Okanogan; two brothers in the The Netherlands, and on in Edgerton, Minn.; one sister in Pella, Iowa, and one in The Netherlands.”2
1. Whatcom County, Washington, death certificate no. 634 (15 Aug 1922), John Kortlever; Washington State Vital Records, Olympia, Washington.
2. “Will Hold Kortlever Services Next Monday,” (Lynden) Lynden Tribune, Thur., 17 Aug 1922, p. 2.