SAC

Nuetzman Century Farm 1

Established: 1879

Township: Clinton Township Acres: 160 Century Farm Award: 1985

Generation: 5th

Nuetzman Century Farm 2

ABOVE: Jack and Carol Nuetzman, who live on their farm near Wall Lake, have two Century Farms in their family.

-Submitted photo

LEFT: Four generations of the Nuetzman family are shown in this 1933 photograph, including Carl (who purchased the Century Farm), his son Albert; Albert's son LeRoy (in the back row); and LeRoy's son, Jack, whom Albert is holding.

Established: 1883

Township: Clinton Township Acres: 160 Century Farm Award: 1995

Generation: 5th

Nuetzman’s side of the family. His great-grandfather, Carl Nuetzman, purchased the 160-acre farm in Section 26 in 1883. The land was passed down to Carl’s son Albert and to Albert’s son LeRoy (Jack’s father). “That farm is just north of where we live, and you can see it from our kitchen window,” said Jack, 89, a 1951 Odebolt High School graduate.

Today, the Nuetzmans rent out some of their farmland, and their son Steve also farms and raises cattle and hay. The Nuetzman family is very active at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, where Jack has held several offices and Carol is the organist and choir director.

“Our family has a lot of good memories connected with the local community and our Century Farms,” Carol said. “We are so blessed.”

By DOUG CLOUGH Farm News writer

ROCK VALLEY — Leroy

Vink is 70 but neither he nor his bride of 40 years, Florence, seem old enough to retire from the profession.

“Our son Justin is moving onto the place now with his family,” said Vink. “Florence and I are moving to town, but I always wanted to make that decision when I was still able to help. He’s farmed with me for the past several years, and I’d like to farm with him as long as I can.

“In 1985, Florence and I bought additional land, so it’s a quarter section now, and originally it was an 80.”

On March 11, 1911, Leroy’s grandfather, Klaas Verberg, bought 80 acres of land in Rock Township, Southwest Section 33, 1¾ miles south of Rock Valley. Six years prior, Verberg, at the age of 21, left his homeland, the Netherlands, and came to Rock Valley.

On March 4, 1911, he married Hendrika Beek, and they lived on the farm until 1917 when they left to live in Rock Valley. They had five children — Bill, Nellie, Henry, Rich, and Marie. Klaas sold the farm two or three times, each time having ownership returned to him because of the inability of the buyer to make payments. In the spring of 1925, the Verbergs returned to the farm where they lived until Hendrika’s death in 1939 and Klaas’ passing in 1942.

Upon Hendrika’s passing, Marie — Leroy’s mother — dropped out of school to help take care of her family. Marie married Albert Vink in 1943, and the couple purchased the 80-acre farm the same year, paying off the $8,000 note within a year of ownership. Albert and Marie Vink made their home on the farm and had three sons: Gerald, Rodney, and Leroy. They worked hard that first year to pay off the farm.

“The stock house originated with Leroy’s dad Albert,” said Florence Vink, “who milked shorthorns. He quit milking and built the stock house. Albert Vink always had cattle and chickens. His mom would take a case of eggs to town, get money for them, and then go to the grocery store to buy groceries for the week.