Dutch family searches for long-lost Good Samaritan

Almost half a century ago a car wreck on Highway 101 north of Willits killed a tourist from the Netherlands; his wife sustained injuries that kept her in Howard Hospital for several days.

During her time recovering from those injuries she was visited by an anonymous stranger, who spoke Dutch and brought a good deal of comfort to the grieving, hospitalized woman.

Now, grateful Bessem family members are hoping to learn the identity of the kindly visitor and to thank her, or perhaps her family, to offer belated thanks and gratitude.

On Sept. 30, 1973, a Cadillac driven by a man from Los Altos pulled over onto the shoulder of Highway 101 near Longvale and accidentally struck a guardrail. The driver’s friend, Nico Bessem, age 66 and from Holland, was struck by a loose piece of guardrail that penetrated the car’s interior and killed him instantly.

His wife, Nora BessemSmeets, was injured and taken to the hospital. The accident took place around 2 p.m. and California Highway Patrol Officer Merlin McMinn responded to the crash and filed a report. Neither the driver of the car nor his wife were injured.

A mysterious stranger, herself originally from the Netherlands and able to speak Dutch, read of the tragedy in local newspapers, and decided to visit Nora Bessem-Smeets at the hospital to see if she could bring aid or comfort. The woman came every day, and the Bessem family has always considered her a

A mysterious stranger, herself originally from the Netherlands and able to speak Dutch, read of the tragedy in local newspapers, and decided to visit Nora BessemSmeets at the hospital to see if she could bring aid or comfort. The woman came every day, and the Bessem family has always considered her a blessing for their grandmother.

blessing for their grandmother.

Steve Bessem visited The Ukiah Daily Journal office recently and asked for assistance locating the woman or any relatives who may be familiar with this series of events. It is thought she may have lived in the Willits area, but no one knows.

If anyone recalls these long ago events and knows the identity of the woman who visited the hospital daily, please contact Emily Fragoso at The Ukiah Daily Journal. Emily is in contact with the Bessem family and is able to relay information.

Emily Fragoso may be reached at (707) 380-1147.