Rog Hiemstra’s Blog

Sena (Gezina) Oosterheert was born on November 2, 1889, in Garsthuizen. She emigrated to Grand Rapids in 1904. She married Harm Hiemstra in Grand Rapids on the 28th of July in 1910. Some remembered her as having been born in Stedum, but it was probably in Garsthuizen. Some remembered that she preferred the name Gezien, but most settle on the Gezina version, which became Sena as she grew into an adult. She is remembered as a warm, bubbly person who loved to cook, who worked very hard, and who contended with spittoons, many children, and many, many grandchildren. She baked delicious pies, had a secret desire all her adult life to drive a car, and loved to listen to music. Sena died on January 18, 1964, in Plainwell, Michigan.

Harm Hiemstra was born on January 29, 1884, in Opende. He was the son of Willem Kornelis Hiemstra and Tjitske (Jessie) deJong. He was a dairy farmer most of his adult life. He is remembered as a short, wirery man who loved to wrestle his children and grandchildren (usually winning), and who could play the accordian beautifully by ear. He was a tobacco chewer, with the proverbial spittoon always behind his favorite chair. He was also known for that short, narrow fork with which he always ate each meal, even bringing it with him when he visited family members. He loved to laugh and play with his grandchildren whenever possible, often having one or more stay for a few nights with them on the farm. Harm died on December 19, 1957, in Wayland, Michigan.