Hessel De Jong

George, Iowa Hessel De Jong, age 94 of Rock Rapids, formerly of George, IA died Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 31st at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with Rev. Paul Fischer, officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, IA. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 30th from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Hessel De Jong was born February 23, 1916 near Orange City, IA to Gerrit and Tillie (Feenstra) De Jong. He was raised and received his education near Orange City. As a boy and young man he and his brothers spent many hours, after the workday was finished, fishing with their father. On April 14, 1938 he was united in marriage to Anna Lamfers in her parents' home near George, IA with the Pastor from Lyon County First Presbyterian officiating. To this union nine children were born. From the time of their marriage until 1948, the couple lived and farmed near Sheldon, Spencer and Doon, IA. In January of 1948 they bought and established their own farm where they raised their family just east of Rock Rapids. In 1980 they moved from the farm to a house north of Rock Rapids until June of 2008 when Hessel and Anna moved to the Premier Estates Assisted Living in Rock Rapids. Besides the traditional farm of livestock, crops and milk cows, Hessel operated a trucking business for many years hauling flax straw, grain and livestock. His children will always remember special times with their Dad as they would make the trip with him to the Sioux Falls or Sioux City stock yards with almost always a special stop at the Dairy Queen for ice cream and the Sunday afternoons when Hessel would come outside to play ball with them, and hit the ball into the neighbor's field. Hessel loved singing in church, music, especially the Blackwood Bros. Gospel group. He also loved to visit with family and friends. His family will forever hold wonderful memories of growing up together on the farm, and all the hard work that went along with it, and the values and strong sense of family their parents instilled in them. This past Saturday, Hessel passed away with his wife and family by his side at the Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids at the age of 94. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Hessel is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Anna De Jong; daughters, Beverly (Delbert) Klaassen of Sibley, IA, Lois (Darwin) Willemssen of George, IA, Janice (Burdell) Schneidermann of Little Rock, IA, Nancy Lodes of Luverne, MN, Linda (Dell) Rasmussen of Sioux Falls, SD, Audrey (Bill) Lundy of Slayton, MN; son, Harold (Jo) De Jong of Ellsworth, MN; daughter, Karen (Jon) Walker of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Greg (Sherri) De Jong of Rock Rapids, IA; 29 grandchildren; and 39 great-grandchildren; sisters, Jennie Engelkes of Benson, MN, Louisa Jacobsma of Bigelow, MN; brother Gerrit Jr. (Erma) De Jong of Sibley, IA; sister Tillie Rook of Rock Valley, IA; and brother Arnold De Jong and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Tillie De Jong; brothers, Dick, Frank, Jake De Jong; sisters, Tracie Plantinga, Trena Mouw, Gert Zwikker, Effie Faber; and granddaughter, Kristi Sue Klaassen.