Wilhelmina Maria Moerbeek
| Geslacht: | Vrouw | |
| Vader: | Cornelis Moerbeek | |
| Moeder: | Wilhelmina Maria Roozing | |
| Geboren: | 3 OKT 1912 | Broek op Langedijk |
| Religie: | Ned. Hervormd, geen | |
| Aantekeningen: | Last Name: Geus de First Name: Wilhelmina Maria Maiden Name: Moerbeek Alias: MINA Date of Birth: 03/10/1912 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Gender: Female Place during the war: Alkmaar, Noordholland, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Alkmaar, Noordholland, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/7959) In September 1943, when the parents of two-year-old Simon Italiaander were deported to a death camp, Simon's foster family, realizing that they would no longer be paid for his upkeep, made it known that they wished him to leave. Klaas de Geus was active in the underground at the time and heard about Simon's plight from the child's uncle and aunt who were hiding with Klaas's sister. Klaas, a carpenter who earned a modest income and lived in Alkmaar, North Holland, with his wife and two children, explained the situation to his wife, Wilhelmina (Mina). She responded by saying: "Where there is food for four, there will be food for five," and the following day she rode 40 kilometers by bicycle along the heavily guarded roads to Haarlem to fetch the child. Klaas and Mina's own son was also called Simon and so from the very first day, the foster brother was nicknamed Sjimmie. Mina was a keen knitter and immediately set about outfitting the new member of the household. Sjimmie coincidentally looked very much like his foster sister, two-year-old Willy. They could easily pass for twins when wearing identical clothing. Several people knew Sjimmie's true identity, but the de Geuses spread the story that his family had been killed in the bombing of Rotterdam. Initially, Sjimmie refused to undress when he went to bed. He was so jittery, that he could only fall asleep if Mina and Klaas took him into their bed. When he arrived at the de Geus family, he was suffering from edema. A doctor prescribed a daily portion of semolina porridge with grapes, and Klaas and Mina did everything they could to follow these instructions, which put a strain on their meager budget. Nevertheless, Klaas and Mina never sought financial compensation. After the war, Klaas was offered a good job in Amsterdam. The family moved and Sjimmie went with them. Simon's aunt and uncle later took custody of their nephew and the two families remained very close. On March 22, 1998, Yad Vashem recognized Klaas de Geus and his wife, Wilhelmina Maria de Geus-Moerbeek, as Righteous Among the Nations. |
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Gezin 1
| Huwelijkspartner: | Klaas de Geus | geb. 5 Feb 1912 overl. 29 Nov 1979 |
| Huwelijk: | 4 Jan 1934 | Warmenhuizen |