Descendants of Johann Reinders of Moyland, Germany:Information about Arnold Van Aken
Arnold Van Aken (b. 18 Jul 1884, d. 08 Apr 1952)
Notes for Arnold Van Aken:Hasselt
November, 4, 1947
Giod Greet You!
Dear Relatives:
You will be surprised to receive mail from Germany again. First we send hearty greetings to you all. As so.many of our acquaintances are receiving mail and. packages From America, I too dare to tell you of my circumstances.I can still remember that when I was a child, Uncle Gerhard was here on a visit and that he sent us some photosofhis family, which, however, were lost during the present war..We also received somne material for suits and
some money Now the time of need is here again; the front destroyed very much here and we must do without many things. My wife was operated two years ago and due to it now has chronic stomach arid intestinal trouble. May I ask, there fore, for some cocoa and coffee"fee or other foods? I have four well-trained children. The youngest daughter is 25 years old and is in a convent already seven years as a, missionary Sister. Two girls are still at home. They need shoes very badly (size 38 and 37). Towels and shirts would also be very welcome. The only son is 33 years oldarid is about to be married, but he has no suit of clothes. I myself will gladly do without things, if only the most necessary were there for the family. If it is possible for You to fulfil one or the other request for us, we would be very grateful to you, and for the cost and the eflort, .our hearty plea that God may reward you. As a proof of our identity, I am enclosing a lvlemorial picture of my dead mother.
Many dear greetings from the entire family.
Arnold van Aken
Transl-ltion of letter received from Arnoldvan Aken Family Bedburgerweb601
Hasselt b.Kleve, Rheinland Germany British Zone
Hasselt
March 26., 1948
God bless you!
Dear Rela.tives.,
On March 3 we received with great happiness the gifts of love from you. In the name of the entire family I wish to express our deepest and sincerest thanks. Because we cannot personally thank you, we will include you daily in our prayers. That will be the best thanks offereing anyway.
Wle also received mail from dear sister Henrietta., wiiieh we answered immediately. he has undoubtedly received the reply and we are anxiously awaiting more word from her She told us that her dear father was quite ill. How is he? At his age, one.stands before the portals of eternity. Should he be living yet,
we wish him well and good: health. We are wondering yet about the address to which we sent letters because the address is over 55 years old and yet we received an answer. Anyway we have been thankful that wehave relatives in America.
We would gladly send a picture of our family but we do not have any. We sent the last one to sister Henrietta. We are enclosing a small picture of our daughter who is in the cloister. We are living
through these ttrying times. If the immediate present do not promise much peace and happiness, yet we are still looking forward to a real and working peace. God grant, it !
Soon we have Easter and then we shall do full justice to the gifts you sent us. The food comes as a special good to my sickly wife.
Now I shall close. Wle wish you again God bless you and send you greetings.
Youi thankful relatives in Germany.
Arnoldvon Aken and. family
More About Arnold Van Aken and Anna Stegemann:
Marriage: 09 Nov 1912, Till Germany.386
Children of Arnold Van Aken and Anna Stegemann are:
- Elizabeth Van Aken.
- Joseph Van Aken, b. 09 Jun 1913, Hasselt Germany386, d. 10 Jun 1913, Hasselt Germany386.
- +Anton Van Aken, b. 13 Aug 1914387, d. 09 Jan 2002, Goch, Germany388.
- Hendrina Van Aken.
- Maria Van Aken.
- Arnold Van Aken, b. 1924, d. 1925.