LLOYD ANDREW VAN REES, 73, of Mission, Texas, formerly of Sully,
Iowa, died July 24, 1994, at the Pella, Iowa, Community Hospital.
He was born on February 11, 1921, in Sully, Iowa, the son of Andrew
and Antionette (De Jong) Van Rees.
On January 2, 1942, he married Thressa Van Heukelom in Pella.
The Van Reeses farmed in the Lynville, Iowa area before moving to
Texas 45 years ago. Lloyd did custom combining in south Texas. He
was an enthusiastic operator of antique engines and was renowned
for his expertise in the area of steam farm engines.
Mr. Van Rees was on the Board of Directors of the Rio Grande
Valley Antique Machinery Club. He was a volunteer in the steam
traction area at old threshers reunions and exhibited his steam
engine. He received an Old Thresher Award in 1990.
Survivors include his wife Thressa; three daughters; a brother;
eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
Submitted by his granddaughter Charlene Mitschelen, 8515
Park Lane #2108, Dallas, Texas 75231.
REINHOLD RODAMMER, a lifelong resident of Tuscola County,
Michigan passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 1994 at his winter home
in Port Charlotte, Florida. He engaged in farming all of his life
in Tuscola County, Michigan. In past years he was a member of the
Richville Lions Club. Surviving him are one sister, Arlene, and her
husband Henry Hohman of Vassar, Michigan; one brother, Rudolph, and
wife Bea Rodammer of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; several nieces and
numerous cousins.
Reinhold belonged to a local threshing company, which over the
years acquired a number of steam powered threshing rigs. The
engines that they bought were Port Hurons, a type for which
Reinhold developed a special liking.
As steam engines were gradually replaced by tractors and
combines, Reinhold never lost his fascination for steam. And so he
readily consented to have me (the undersigned) keep my 19 HP Port
Huron compound engine on his farm, when I asked him if he was
interested. In fact, it was many a time that Reinhold steered the
engine down his half-mile long grassy lane, when I steamed up the
engine. He enjoyed the hobby along with me.
Hauling flax seed to market with a tractor in Montana. Courtesy
Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
Reinhold and his father Herman enjoyed the distinction of being
one of the very first mid-Michigan steam enthusiasts to attend the
National Threshers Show, when that show was in its infancy and was
held on the Leroy Blaker farm at Alvordton, Ohio. Reinhold kept
attending that show, later at Wauseon, Ohio, until close to the end
of his life. He also attended numerous other shows, including the
one at Mason and the one at Ithaca, Michigan. Reinhold thoroughly
enjoyed meeting friends and acquaintances at the shows and watching
the engines perform.
His memory will long be treasured in our midst.
Respectfully submitted by a friend, Elmer G. Bickel, 2224
Taft Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48602.
