Righteous unto the nations

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The Keers Family Members of the Keers family were brave individuals who risked their lives to save others. They were devout Protestants, many of them Ministers, who actively participated, as a support network, in conjunction with the Dutch underground. They rescued Jews and allied airman shot down during the German invasion of Holland. These devout Protestants have not sought recognition for their brave deeds. They do, however give permission for others to tell the incredible story of their bravery. Minister Cornelis Keers and Marie Keers Bokhorst: During March 1944, Cornelis and Maria changed communities and moved to Assen. In August 1944, the Germans declared Cornelis as “wanted” for anti- German activities and were intent on capturing him. This forced Cornelis, Maria and their children (shown in this photograph) into hiding, firstly at the home of Maria’s parents in Loosdrecht, and then to a small farm in Lemelerveld. After the war, they returned to Assen. (Wil van Rood, a Jewess, who had been staying with them at that time found another, hiding address in Lemelerveld.) The Keers had 5 children: Cornelis Keers was born November 22, 1907 in Hilversum, Netherlands. His occupation was a Minister in the Dutch Protestant Church firstly from 1936 in Lemelerveld, then other places including Assen, Rotterdam and Amsterdam until he retired to Epe in 1972. He died there on 7 April 1990. Cornelis Keers married Maria Bokhorst in 1936. She was a teacher at primary school before their marriage. Minister Cornelis Keers and his wife are recognized for: • Carolien Keers born 12 January 1938 in Lemelerveld; (Middle) • Lourens Cornelis Keers born 12 June 1941 in Lemelerveld (Right) • Henk Keers born 15 December 1942 in Lemelerveld; (Left) • Cornelis Keers born 30 April 1944 in Assen; and, • Wolter Arinus Keers born 19 December 1946 in Assen. • The time they sheltered Erica at their house, • The transport of Erica to Lemele Farm with the Grootemarsink’s, and • His intervention at the farm when Erica had to declare her presence to the Germans during the brief capture of her rescuer Hendrik Grootemarsink. PAGE 10 Cornelis and Maria Keers and pre-war family ©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.
Minister Piet Visser and Stien Visser-Keers: Piet and Stien Visser hid Erica for several months in late 1943. They provided her with shelter, food and friendship. Their address at that time was Loolaan 18, Apeldoorn, next to the “Grote Kerk” (Big Church). This building has since been demolished. Erica was also sheltered at Koning Lodewijklaan13, Apeldoorn. This house was demolished to make way for 2 new houses. Jan Keers and Gon Keers-Jonker: In late 1943 Erica moved to Sibculo and stayed with Jan and Gon until liberation in 1945. Jan was a teacher and lay preacher at the local School. This couple offered Erica shelter, food and warm family friendship. The photo shows the window, at roof level, that was Erica’s room during hiding. Sibculo is only 6 kilometres from the German border. Koning Lodewijklaan 13 Apeldoorn 1944 Loolaan 18 Apeldoorn 1943 Sibculo School 1960 at 150 Kloosterdijk. This modified building still exists. PAGE 11 ©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.
Page 1 and 2: Righteous unto the Nations Yad Vash
Page 3 and 4: “Whosoever saves a single life: s
Page 5 and 6: Message from Martin Moen In 1940 th
Page 7 and 8: Yad Vashem and “Righteous Among t
Page 9: OUR “Righteous Among the Nations
Page 13 and 14: How does the keers family feel abou
Page 15 and 16: The Grootemarsink Family Hendrik an
Page 17 and 18: The following was provided as furth
Page 19 and 20: Jan Van Zutphen’s family and frie
Page 21 and 22: Erica Moen-Deen’s Story Extract o
Page 23 and 24: are places in this province. The ho
Page 25 and 26: My first thoughts then were for my
Page 27 and 28: Remembering Harold and Rebecca Deen
Page 29 and 30: Limestone War Memorial PAGE 29 ©20
Page 31 and 32: ©2013 Edited and compiled by Marti
Page 33 and 34: ©2013 Edited and compiled by Marti
Page 35: Last, but not least, I acknowledge

Righteous unto the nations

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