10. Ruth Hermina Geurink (Henry John2, Arent Jan’) was born Town of Lima, Sheboygan County, WI October 1, 1907.
She married Henry John Nauta Town of Easton, WI, November 9, 1927.
*Text taken from Wausau newspaper dated November 11, 1927:
The bridal party was announced with the Lohengrin wedding march played by Miss Ora Geurink.
The bride was gowned in pink georgette embroidered with seed pearls and rhinestones, and she wore a handeau of brilliants and carried a bouquet of Columbia roses and sweetpeas. The bridesmaids were Miss Agnes Ferries of the town of Easton and Miss Edna Wilterdink of Sheboygan county. Miss Ferries wore powder blue beaded, georgette and Miss Wilterdink was in orchid silk crepe and both carried arm bouquets of long stemmed chrysanthemums.
The bridegroom was attended by Elmer Geurink, brother of the bride, and Jelke Nauta.
The ceremony was followed by a 6:00 o’clock dinner and covers were laid for thirty.
Mr. and Mrs. Nauta are spending their honeymoon in Chicago and Sheboygan and upon their return will go to housekeeping on a farm near Ringle. They will be at home after December 1. (Note: Henry Geurink’s name was misspelled in the news article.)
Henry was born in Chicago, IL September 2, 1902. He was the son of Fred J. Nauta and Pietemella (Nellie) Hendrix Berendinia Stegles.
Henry died March 11, 1981 in Antigo, WI, at 78 years of age.
*Text taken from Wausau newspaper dated March 12,198l: Henry J. Nauta, 78, Antigo, died Wednesday in Antigo. He was owner and operator of the Henry J. Nauta Dealer in Livestock business for over 40 years prior to his retirement in 1968. He lived in Marathon County prior to moving to Antigo in 1944.
He was born Sept. 2,1902, in Chicago, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Nauta. He married Ruth
Geurink Nov. 9, 1927, in the town of Easton. She survives.
He was a member of the Faith United Church of Christ, Antigo, and had served on it’s governing board
Survivors in addition to his wife include two sons, Harold Birnamwood, and Dale, G&ton; one brother,
W.O. Nauta, Minocqua; and five grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Faith United Church of Christ, Antigo. The Rev. Gene E.
Krueger will officiate and burial will be in Forestville Cemetery, town of Easton. Friends may call after 3:30 p.m. at the McCandles-Zober and Bradley Funeral Home, Antigo, and at the church after 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of services.
Ruth died June 7, 1990 Antigo, WI, at 82 years of age.
*Text taken from Wausau newspaper dated June 9,199O: Ruth Hermina Nauta, 82, Amigo, died Thursday, June 7, 1990, in Antigo.
She was born Oct. 1, 1907, in Sheboygan County, daughter of the late Henry and Effie Geurink. Ruth and her parents moved to Marathon County in 1909 where Ruth attended Easton Center Grade School and Wausau East High School. On Nov. 9, 1927 she married Henry J. Nauta, who was a well known livestock dealer and farmer. They lived in the town of Easton until moving to Antigo in 1944. Her husband preceded her in death on March 11, 198l. Ruth was a member of Faith United Church of Christ, Antigo and was active in the Fellowship Guild and in various church circles.
Survivors include two sons, Harold (Mavis), Birnamwood and Dale (Diane), Grafton; five grandchildren, Nancy (Jeff) Jansen, Milwaukee, Linda (Jim) Decker, Germantown Steve Nauta, Graftott, Robert (Kathy) Nauta, Madison, and Major William (Lois) Nauta, St. Louis, MO.; a great-granddaughter, Sarah Nauta, Odenton, Md.; a sister, Ora (Wiebe) Nauta, Minocqua; a brother, Floyd (Annie) Geurink, Ringle; a stepbrother, Robert (Lorraine) Holster, Wausau; several sisters-m-law; a brother-in-law; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, and four brothers.
Ruth was a kind, generous, caring person, dearly loved by her family and all who knew her. She will by
sadly missed.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Faith United Church of Christ, Amigo. Burial will be in Forestville
Cemetery, Ringle. Friends may call from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bradley Funeral Home, Antigo and
from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church.
-“Ruth was the first in the family to graduate from the 8th grade. Floyd also did some years later, but
until 1930 it was compulsory to attend school only until age 14, so those who were absent a lot to help at home or who didn’t care much for school just quit at age 14 regardless that they could graduate in just a few months or even weeks. Book learning was not considered important for farmers or homemakers! Ruth, however, planned to go on to high school and board with relatives in Wausau. Ruth liked school, but not her boarding place and upon catching the ‘flu’ and going home for a weekend with Pa’s okay, just did not go back. All 3 Geurink girls learned to drive and Ruth was especially proficient after Pa Geurink puchased a Model T Roadster in 1926. It came with a little box which could replace their back ‘turtle’ and be used as a small truck Ruth also played the organ in church for awhile, which kept her very busy on Sunday, for she also played the Psalms for the Dutch afternoon service and for the young people’s Christian Endeavor meeting in the evening.
From the latter probably, Ruth began to date Henry Nauta, one of the ‘4 Nauta boys’ who had come to the
farming community from Chicago. It was during their courtship days that the basket or box social was popular as a school fund raiser. Hank made local history by making the highest bid ever known - $12.00 - for Ruth’s decorated box. More than even his brother, Fred, paid for the teacher’s basket! Without a doubt, Ruth was his girl.
At a pretty home ceremony, solemnized at 2:00 o’clock Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. Paul H. Graeser of the First Reformed church Miss Ruth H. Geurink, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Geurink of the town of Easton became the bride of Henry J. Nauta of the same town. The house was decorated with pink and white streamers and weddmg bells.
Hank and Ruth were married in November, 1927, and settled on the farm on Highway Z, of the senior
Nautas, who had retired In the years just prior and immediately after her marriage, Ruth was afflicted with an anemic condition which required very expensive medicine. She recovered and Hank and Ruth had 2 sons, Harold and Dale. Hank bought a truck with which he did various types of hauling which he liked better than farming. It led to a cattle buying and selling business which he did for years, employing several men. Ruth was his bookkeeper. They moved to Bimamwood for a few years and later, after selling the farm, they bought a small farm on the outskirts of Antigo, suitable for their business. Upon retirement, they bought property on Pelican Lake, and Hank, who was handy with tools, did all the finishing work on their new house. There they enjoyed boating fishing, and entertaining and Ruth did beautiful knitting and crocheting. Hank kept up a trucking business in summer, hauling canning factory vegetables. After about 7 years they returned to a plot of their original acreage near Antigo and built another new house. While there, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Hank’s health was not good and in a few years he died. Ruth continued to keep her home until age 80, busy with church and friends and entertaining and in December of 1987, sold her home and took an apartment closer in to Antigo where her legendary hospitality continues.”
*Taken from Annie Geurinks writing The Geurinks in America.
Historical events during the life of Ruth Hermina Geurink:
Ruth Hermina Geurink and Hemy John Nauta had the following children:
