Edwin J. Dejongh

Services were Held in Rock Rapids on July 28, 2008 Edwin J. DeJongh, 92, of Chisago City, formerly of Willmar and Spicer, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Parmly LifePointes Chapel in Chisago City with visitation one hour prior to service. There was a visitation on Sunday, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. A another service was held on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa with visitation one hour prior to service. Edwin J. DeJongh was born on June 24, 1916, in Edgerton, MN, the son of Rev. John and Ella (Vander Beek) DeJongh. He was the third born of four children. The family moved to Doon, Iowa, and in 1925 to Rock Rapids. Eds father was the pastor at First Reformed Church until his retirement in 1940. At the age of 14, Ed began working at Yappen Auto Repair and Battery and later at Vans Grocery to help support the family during the depression. Ed graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1933. On July 8, 1941, Ed was united in marriage to Sophia Theodora VanderWilt at Free Grace Reformed Church in Middleburg where his father conducted the ceremony. They made their home in Rock Rapids where Ed continued working at Vans. From November 1942 until October 1945, Ed served in the United States Army under General George Patton in the European Theatre, 13th Black Cat Armored Division as a tank gunner. Eds division was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and had just reached the Bavarian Alps in Austria at the end of the war where Hitler had his summer retreat. Upon his discharge, Ed and Sophia continued to live in Rock Rapids where they raised their two children, Keith and Ruth. Ed began working for the United States Postal Service in 1945, retiring in 1980. He had been a city mail carrier for eight years prior to becoming a rural carrier. Since childhood, Ed had been a member of Rock Rapids First Reformed Church. He was an active member, serving as a deacon and as a member of the 1953 building committee. He also was a member of the building expansion committee and managed the worship radio broadcast and sound system. Ed and Sophia were the custodians for over 18 years. The church community was very important in their lives. After retiring, Ed and Sophia, many times with family and friends, were able to travel to Europe and every state except Hawaii, for about 20 years, they were able to spend the winters in Mesa, Arizona where they eventually bought a second home and were always happy to have visitors come and stay for a while. Their friendly spirits and hospitality granted them friends wherever they went. In 1984, they moved to Spicer, Minnesota and in 1990 to Willmar where they made lasting friendships with wonderful people. Since moving to Spicer and Willmar, they have been members of Hope Presbyterian Church where they remained members. In July 2005, Ed and Sophia moved to Chisago City, MN, where Ed lived at Vindauga View Assisted Living Apartments and Sophia was in Parmly Residence, both in the same building and near Keith and Marlene. Sophia preceded Ed in death on June 4, 2006. Ed later moved to the skilled nursing care residence at Parmly LifePointes. Ed always wanted to be busy doing something and being helpful and constructive. He was a handy man, repairing, building, wall papering, painting, staining, planting, pruning, pitching hay, helping friends with their farm work. He was a real problem solver, working many miracles out of his workshop. He took great pride and delight in his work especially in seeing the pleasure it brought to others. He loved fishing, traveling, visiting friends, family, and singing as well. As the family traveled, they often sang in four-part harmony. He had a servant spirit that deeply loved the Lord and his family and for such a hard working man, his hands were as soft as a newborn baby. Surviving are his son, Keith (and Marlene) DeJongh of Chisago City; son-in-law, Dr. Michael Buscemi of Bismarck, ND; three grandchildren, Dr. Sharlene (and John) Arnason of Marine on St. Croix, MN; Michele (and Michael) Schwalbe of Andover; Brian (and Annie) DeJongh of Somerset, WI; seven great grandchildren, Jack and Katherine Arnason, Allison and Will Schwalbe, Eli, Lake and Marin DeJongh. Ed was proud of his children and grandchildren and will lovingly be remembered by his great grandchildren as their GG (great grandpa.) Besides Sophia and his parents, his sisters, Helen Jansen and Bernice Dykstra and brother, Delmer DeJongh, infant brother, Dale preceded Ed in death.