My Tree

Deeply Rooted

Hoorn, Martin

Source 134 – Personal Letter by Martin Hoorn

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Author: Martin Hoorn
Title: Letter to Helen J. (Thomas) Hoorn
Date: unknown
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Mom, So Sorry I made you blue!! You took them as orders and I did mean them that way.

Reasons – I wanted to find out if you would quit if I told you too.
Reason for Cancellation – I promised you that you could work until May 30 no later.. and I try not to go back on my word. If you make up your mind to quit before it is entirely up to you for if you did it would be nice to have you home. I remain yours. N.Y. correspondent, pop

Source 194 – Obituary for Martin Hoorn

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HOORN – Mr. Martin Hoorn, aged 70, of Grand Rapids, passed away Thursday, August 25, 1988. Mr. Hoorn was a charter school board member of Kentwood Public Schools and a retired Kelvinator employee. Surviving are his wife, Helen; his children, Janice and James Fisher of Saginaw; Jim and Sandy Hoorn of Northview; Bruce and Mary Lou Hoorn of Sparta; Brian and Robin Hoorn of Lowell; Diane Korf of Wayland; 18 grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Bessie and Mike Looman, Nellie Pritchett, Francis and Louise Hoorn; Bernie and Arlene Hoorn; Peter and Jenny Hoorn. The funeral service will be held 12 noon Saturday at the funeral chapel, Rev. Burt Gardner officiating. Emtombment Chapel Hill Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to Good News Baptist Church Building Fund. The family will receive friends Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm and Saturday from 10 am until 12 noon at the Stroo Funeral Home, Cutlerville Chapel, 1095 68th St. SE.

Source 138 – Personal Letter by Martin Hoorn

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Author: Martin Hoorn
Title: Letter to Jim Hoorn on 47th anniversary
Date: 02 October 1985
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Dear Jim,
Just got home from our 47th anniversary dinner. So I just thought about the past. Married on October 2, 1938. Wages $6.00 per week. 30 days after we got married I got a job for $28.00 every two week, big money. Rented an apartment for $11.00 every 10 days… too high so we moved. Found another apartment for $12.00 a month. That fit our income. 1941 – Janice was born. 1945 – James was born. Moved out in the country to take care of wife’s dad. Two bedrooms. Four of us slept in one bedroom. Started to build our 1st brick house then moved in to it in 1946. Going to raise raspberrys. Bought 5000 plants. All died. Going to raise chickens. 18 died 1st night. Gave the rest to a broodie hen. She did a good job. Imagine 32 chicks on one hen. Going to raise turkeys. All died but one. She was a pet. Nobody would eat her. Going to raise mink. Didn’t have any young first year. Raised mink for 12 years. Started to build houses.

As I look back, I helped raise 5 good kids. With their help, built 8 houses, 4 duplexes, helped on 7 houses.
1 Yr. Father Vice Pr. PTA
2 Yrs. President Band Boosters
7 Yrs. School Board Member
1 Yr. on consolidation of 5 dist.
36.6 Yrs. in factory (Kelvinator)

Now forty-seven years later, we’re living on a fixed income.

Well, son, it’s getting late. Almost 8:30. Ma’s got her teeth out so I better hook the oxygen and go to bed too.

P.S. Hope you get over being tired. Happy 40. Love ya. Dad

Source 082 – Personal Letter by Helen J. Hoorn

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Author: Helen J. (Thomas) Hoorn
Title: Letter to Frank and Dorothy [Lawton]
Date: 15 May 1959
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

May 15, 1959
Dear Frank & Dorothy
Finally, I’m getting around to send these pictures. Such a busy time. I find you are busier when they start to grow up than when they are little. There is always one going some where.
Janice will graduate June 11. She has had a wonderful senior year. She is very popular so that means she goes to everything. She went to two proms. We have some nice slides of her so when you come to Grand Rapids we will show them to you.
I would love to talk my husband into coming out to see you but he isn’t a traveler. Maybe some day. He has a slide camera and loves to take pictures.
Jim graduates from 8th grade. He will soon be bigger than his Dad. Right now he has a broken finger from playing baseball.
How is work out there? It seems to be booming here right now. Mart, of course, always works. He is going to take some extra time off this summer for a rest. He has his sixth house almost done. Write
Love, Helen

Source 038 – Postcard by Martin Hoorn

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Author: Martin Hoorn
Title: Postcard to Janice Hoorn
Date: 15 November 1950
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: postcard

Miss Janice Hoorn
878 60th St. SE
Grand Rapids, Mich.

Dear Tootie and Jimmy,
Am thinking of you and will try to bring one home like on mom’s card. Dad [photo of deer on front of postcard]