Sioux County

Floyd Achterhof

 

 

 

Floyd Achterhof enlisted in the Coast Guard and completed his final tests at Sioux City Tuesday.  He was inducted Wednesday and then returned to await his call.  He must be ready to leave within twenty-four hours when he receives his call.

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 10, 1942 p 14

Classification of 200 Sioux County Men

BOARD PUBLISHES DETAILED MINUTES
Minutes of the Sioux County Local Board meeting on December16,1942, relating the classification of the following men:
Class 1-A
....
Tentative 1-A subject to examination:
....
Class 1-A "Suspended":
....
Class 1-B:
....
Floyd Elmer Achterhof, S. Center
....
Class 2-B:
....
Class 2-C:
....
Class -B:
....
Class -F:
....
Class 4-H:
....


Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 24, 1942 p 1,6

Floyd (Achterhof) received his notice and left from Omaha for Florida on Wednesday to join the Coast Guard for which he recently enlisted.

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 24, 1942, p 7

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Vander Broek entertained a group of friends at their home last Monday evening in honor of Floyd Achterhof who left for Florida on Wednesday.  Mrs. Achterhof will make her home with her father R. E. Vermeer for the present time.

Source: Sioux County Capital Dec. 31, 1942 p 7

Mrs. Floyd Achterhof received a letter from her husband saying he was having his typhoid vaccinations.  He says the drilling is quite difficult and that there are a lot of codes to learn.  The Boy Scout training he has had helps him a lot.  They are staying in a large beautiful Hotel with colonial type fountains in the courtyards.  He said he had been out rowing on the bay and had a grand time.  Floyd arrived in St. Augustine, Fla. the latter part of December.

Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 21, 1943 p 9

Mrs. Floyd Achterhof received a call from her husband Saturday evening who is now at Boston, Mass., having been moved from St. Augustine, Fla.  He had received the message telling him about the death of his grandfather but he was unable to come to the funeral.

Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 25, 1943 p 10

Mrs. Floyd Achterhof and baby Marsha Kay expect to leave Thursday for Boston, Mass., where Mr. Achterhof is stationed.  He is a doctor's assistant in the city hospital at Boston.

Source: Alton Democrat Mar. 5, 1943 p 3

Boston, Mass.
March 19, 1943
Sioux Center News
Sioux Center, Iowa

   Dear friends--I had been planning to write you for some time to thank you for your faithfulness in sending the News, so here goes.  We do appreciate the home town paper and can assure you that every word of it is read the minute it arrives.  Please extend my thanks to the Civic Club and the American Legion for their encouraging letters.  The war bond drive in Sioux Center, shows the true patriotism of the home people, to the men in the service.

   Hats off to our basketball team.  You can be sure that I thought about those tournaments plenty, and was wishing that I could have played.  How they will come out in the state, no one knows, but I am sure they will put up a plenty good fight, as they have in the past.  Here is one fan that is boosting for them, even though I can't see the tournaments as I have every year, in the past.

   I am at present working in the hospital at the receiving station here, as assistant to a doctor, preparatory to entering the school for pharmacists mates.  The work is very interesting.  We are still treating one Coastguardsman for severe burns, as a result of the disastrous fire at Coconut Grove nite club last November.  You will remember this fire, as 500 lost their lives, and many more were seriously burned.  The building is still standing there, and has not been cleaned up or repaired since then.  It is only a small building, and is located in the heart of Boston.

   Estella and Marsha Kay arrived safely, and we have rented a furnished apartment, near the hotel where I work.  It was very good to see them, and to make the acquaintance of the new addition to the family.  Living conditions are high in Boston, with butter and meat almost impossible to obtain. 

   A special "Thank You" to all our friends for gifts, cards and courtesies shown upon the arrival of our baby.  We hope we can soon be back in Sioux Center again, and get back to normal life.  Until then, keep writing all the boys, and keep sending them the paper.  Your column "Men in the Service" is truly helpful in finding the addresses and location of the other fellows.  Through this column, I was able to spend an enjoyable evening with my cousin, Jim Achterhof, who is in the Navy and stationed in Rhode Island.

   Our home address in Boston is 327 Huntington Ave., Suite 31, and service address is U. S. C. G. Receiving Station, Hotel Brunswick, Boston, Mass.  All mail is greatly appreciated. 
Yours truly,
Floyd Achterhof

Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 25, 1943 p 9

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof returned home the past week from Boston, Mass., where Floyd has been attending school and she and their small daughter Marcia Kay have been visiting him there for the past few months.  Floyd will return to service on Friday and she and the baby will stay at the parental Richard Vermeer home for the present.

Source: Sioux County Capital July 8, 1943 p 3

Floyd Achterhof, A.M. returned to Boston, Mass. Sunday after spending an extended furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Achterhof and other relatives.  Mrs. Achterhof and baby Marsha Kay will remain at the parental R. Vermeer home.  He expects to be sent to a different location soon.

Source: Alton Democrat July 16, 1943 p 8

In Coast Guard
(picture included)
FLOYD ACHTERHOF S 1-c

Floyd Achterhof returned to the east coast recently after enjoying his first furlough at home since he enlisted in the Coast Guard last December 1942.  He was sent to St. Augustine, Florida for his boot training and from there to Boston, where he was a doctor's and dentist assistant.  He helped the doctors give physical checkups to the coast guardsmen who were sent overseas.  Mrs. Achterhof joined her husband in Boston when their daughter was less than a month old, but she and the baby will remain here with her parents as Floyd expected to be transferred immediately on his return.  His new address is in the soldier column elsewhere in this paper.

Floyd E. Achterhof S 1-c, U. S. C. G. Training Station, Barracks A, Groton, Connecticut.  Floyd moved from Boston and is now taking a pharmacy course.

Source: Sioux Center News July 19, 1943 p 2

Floyd Achterhof, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Achterhof, arrived home Wed. afternoon on an eight day furlough.  He has been stationed at Groton, Conn. at Pharmacists Mate School.  He is now Pharmacist's M 3-c, having completed his course there.  He is now to be transferred to Chicago where he will go at the completion of this furlough.

Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 21, 1943 p 12

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof left on Thursday, at which time Mrs. Achterhof and daughter Marsha Kay were taken to the hospital at Iowa City, where the small daughter will be under doctor's care for some time, and Floyd went back to camp at Chicago, after spending a nine-day furlough at home.  Mrs. Achterhof will make her home with Mr. and Mrs. Merle Olsen, former Sioux Center residents, who now make their home at Iowa City where he is an instructor at the college.

Source: Sioux County Index Nov. 4, 1943 p 8

Floyd Achterhof has the following change of address:
Chicago Coast Guard Station
Foot of Randolph Street
Chicago, Ill.

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 11, 1943 p 2

Mr. Rich Vermeer and daughter Geneva and Mr. Ralph Achterhof left on Sunday afternoon for Iowa City to be with their children, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof, whose small daughter, Marsha Kay, underwent a very serious operation on Monday morning, at which time they took away the spleen.  Mr Achterhof has been given a five-day furlough so that he could also be with his family.

Source: Sioux County Index Nov. 11, 1943 p 7,8

Infant Doing Well After Operation
Marsha Kay Achterhof, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof, is doing remarkably well after the very serious operation for removal of the spleen to which she submitted at Iowa City recently.  Doctors there gave her but a few months to live, but since the operation she has rallied so well that they are hoping her chances for recovery may be increasing.  If she continues to improve, mother and daughter pan to return here next week.  Mrs. Achterhof is staying with the Olsens at Iowa City at present.  Floyd was granted an extra week's furlough from his duties in the U.S. Navy, but returned to his station early so that he can help bring his daughter back home. 

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 18, 1943 p 1

Floyd Achterhof returned to Chicago on Thursday evening after having had a short furlough during which time he took his wife and infant daughter Marsha Kay home from the hospital at Iowa City.  Mrs. Achterhof and daughter will make their home with her father Mr. Rich Vermeer.

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2, 1943 p 3

Marsha Kay Achterhof was taken to the Sheldon Hospital Friday evening, seriously ill with double pneumonia.  She is the ten month old daughter of Floyd Achterhof Phm. 1/c who is stationed at Chicago.  He was called home and arrived Saturday evening.  Her condition is somewhat improved at present.  Her mother is staying with her at Sheldon.

Source: The Alton Democrat Dec. 30, 1943 p 5

Marsha Kay Achterhof returned home from the Sheldon hospital Friday afternoon.  She has been in the hospital a week with double pneumonia.  Her father, Floyd Achterhof Phm. 1/c left for Chicago Sunday evening, where he is stationed.  He was called home on account of her illness.

Source: Alton Democrat Jan. 6, 1944 p 4

Floyd Achterhof, who is stationed at Chicago, spent the weekend at the home of Richard Vermeer with his wife and daughter, Marsha Kay.

Source: Sioux County Index Jan. 20, 1944 p 7

Floyd Achterhof Phm. 1/c who is stationed at Chicago, spent a few days with Mrs. Achterhof and baby Marsha Kay, who are staying at the parental R. Vermeer home.  Floyd is a Coast Guardsman, and has been on duty patrolling the lake on a boat, but boat was laid up for repairs so he had a few days leave.  He left for Chicago Sunday evening. Marsha Kay is doing well. 

Source: Alton Democrat Jan. 20, 1944 p 5

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago, arrived home on a short furlough on Thursday evening.  He left again on Sunday evening.

Source: Sioux County Capital Mar. 2, 1944 p 6

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago spent Saturday and Sunday with his wife and daughter Marsha Kay at the parental Richard Vermeer home.

Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 9, 1944 p 8

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago arrived here on Thursday morning to spend a few days with his wife and daughter Marsha Kay.  He returned to his station on Sunday evening.

Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 30, 1944 p 2

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago arrived home on Sunday and spent a few days with his family here.

Source: Sioux Center News April 13, 1944 p 10

Floyd Achterhof returned to his work at the Great Lakes Chicago on Thursday morning following a week's leave which was spent with his family here.

Source: Sioux Center News July 27, 1944 p 8

Floyd Achterhof sends the following new address:
Floyd Achterhof
Coast Guard Office
4141 North Claredon
Chicago, Ill.

Source: Sioux Center News August 31, 1944 p 10

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago arrived here Saturday evening to spend a five day leave with his wife and daughter Marsha Kay at the parental Richard Vermeer home.

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 9, 1944 p 2

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago arrived here on Saturday morning to spend Christmas day with his family, and left again on Monday afternoon.

Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 4, 1945 p 2

Floyd Achterhof, who is stationed in Chicago arrived home on Sunday to spend a week's leave with his family here.  His small daughter Marsha Kay who is very sick was two years old on Tuesday, Jan. 20.  He leaves again on Sunday.

Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 1, 1945 p 12

Floyd Achterhof who is stationed in Chicago arrived home Sunday to spend a leave with his family here.  The condition of their small daughter Marsha Kay remains about the same.

Source: Sioux Center News March 1, 1945 p 10

Floyd Achterhof left again on Sunday morning to return to Chicago after enjoying a week's leave at home.

Source: Sioux Center News March 8, 1945 p 8

Marsha Kay Achterhof Dies After Long Illness
Little Marsha Kay Achterhof who has been sick ever since she was only a few weeks old, quietly passed away at the Richard E. Vermeer home on Easter Sunday afternoon, April 1, 1945.  She had reached the age of two years, two months and two days.  She is survived by her parents, Ph.M. 3/c and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof as also her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Achterhof and Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Vermeer.... Floyd who is stationed at Chicago came home Saturday evening having been granted an emergency furlough. 

Source: Sioux Center News April 5, 1945 p 1

Floyd Achterhof left Friday for Chicago after spending a week's leave at home.  Mrs. Achterhof plans to join him this week.

Source: Sioux County Capital April 12, 1945 p 6

Mrs. Floyd Achterhof accompanied (Lt. and Mrs. James Vermeer) to Chicago where she will join her husband who is stationed there.

Source: Sioux Center News April 19, 1945 p 2

PhM 3/c and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof ... were home on leave from Chicago.  Floyd left again on Friday for overseas; Mrs. Achterhof will stay here.

Source: Sioux County Capital August 23, 1945 p 6

Address Changes
....
Floyd E. Achterhof Ph. m. 3/c
Coast Guard Unit 390
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 20, 1945 p 10

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Achterhof and Mrs. Floyd Achterhof drove to Mason City on Monday afternoon where they met Floyd who came home and has been discharged after three years of service.  He has been stationed in navy hospitals in the states most of this time, but was recently stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 29, 1945 p 10