Submitted by: Dan Rich

Theodore J. Derksen

April 19, 1909 - April 4, 2001

South Bend Tribune 4/6/2001

Theodore J. "Ted" Derksen, 91, of Granger, Ind., passed away of natural causes at 6:32 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, in his home. Ted was born on April 19, 1909, in Zevenaar, Holland (Netherlands), to the late John and Everdine (Hermsen) Derksen. Ted came to the United States in 1928.

In 1936 he married Mary M. Beckelandt on October 10. She passed away Dec. 12, 1977, after 41 years of marriage. Also preceded him in death were a sister, Ann Boerboom, and five brothers, John, Garrit, Tony, Everett and Pieter Derksen.

Ted was an active farmer until the age of 70. When he came from Holland he worked at St. Joseph Farm in Granger until he married, then purchased his own farm. He was a member of Sail Water Conservatory, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Farm Bureau member, and 4-H. He also was involved in the early years of Granger development by serving on the Harris Township Advisory Board and did reassessment of property. He was an active member of St. Pius X, the former St. Joseph Farm Parish. He was on the building committee of the new St. Pius Church, and one of the first members of St. Pius. He was also a member of the Granger Council Knights of Columbus.

Ted is survived by four daughters, Everdine "Dee" (Thomas) Kelley of Granger, Mary Lou (Henry) Coussens of Kentland, Ind., Clementine "Tina" Dabrowiak of Syracuse, N.Y., and Kathleen "Kay" (John) Skevington of Mishawaka, Ind.; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Henry Derksen of Zevenaar, Holland.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, in St. Pius X Catholic Church with Fr. William Niedhart, C.S.C., officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today, April 6, in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the St. Joseph's Visiting Nurse Association in lieu of flowers.