Harvey R. Dejongh

Hills, MN Harvey R. DeJongh, age 82 of Hills, MN died Tues. February 26, 2008, at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital of Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Reformed Church of Steen, MN with Rev. Dan Ramaker officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastside Cemetery of Steen, MN. Visitation will be Thurs. Feb 28th from 4 " 8 p.m. with family present from 6 " 8 p.m. at the Reformed Church of Steen, MN. Harvey Raymond DeJongh was born on July 7, 1925 in Sioux County, Iowa, the son of Charles and Ada (Enkorn) DeJongh. He attended country school near Boyden, IA. At age 18 Harveys family moved to a farm near Beaver Creek, MN. In December of 1944 he entered the U.S. Army serving overseas in Japan and the Philippines. He earned the rank of Corporal and was involved in the motor pool. He received his honorable discharge in 1946 and returned to Beaver Creek, MN. Harvey was united in marriage on February 18, 1947 to Henrietta Fikse at her parents farm near Steen, MN. Together, they farmed in Rock County, south east of Luverne and Beaver Creek, MN, until their retirement in 1992. He also drove school bus for the Hills-Beaver Creek School district for six years. He enjoyed wood working, metal working and doing projects for his family, friends and the church. He was a member of the Steen Reformed Church and served as elder and deacon. He and Etta loved listening to Gospel music and experienced many wonderful trips together across the U.S. and overseas. His family will remember Harvey for his strong spiritual foundation, the values he instilled in his children and his love of the land and cattle. Harvey is survived by his wife Henrietta Etta DeJongh of Hills, MN; four children, Ethanie (Ed) Schmidt of Tracy, MN, Nancy (Rich) Van Heerde of Sioux Falls, SD, Ronald (Vicki) DeJongh of Chanhassen, MN, and Patty (David) Morris of Fridley, MN; ten grandchildren, Michael Schmidt of Hutchinson, MN, Kelly (Sarah) Schmidt of Hardwick, MN, Steven (Christy) Van Heerde of Estelline, SD, Beth Van Heerde of Sioux Falls, SD, Kasey Jo Schmidt of Brookings, SD, Brian Van Heerde of Sioux Falls, SD, Autumn Blatz, Sydney DeJongh, Bowe Blatz, and Rayna DeJongh, all of Chanhassen, MN; one great-granddaughter, Aubree Schmidt; three siblings, Peter (Gert) DeJongh of Edgerton, MN, Christina Van Iperen of Luverne, MN, and Norman (Norma) DeJongh of Luverne, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; three infant children, Conley Gene, Mary Lynn, and Connie Mae; one granddaughter, Miranda Jo Morris; two brothers, Wesley DeJongh and Chester DeJongh.