Gerrit Dejong Jr.

Sibley, IA      Gerrit DeJong Jr. Livestream

     Gerrit DeJong Jr., age 90 of Sibley, Iowa died Friday, June 19, 2020 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

     A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 23^rd at Christian Reformed Church of Sibley, IA, with Reverend Jack Van Dyken officiating. Private family burial will be prior to the service at Holman Township Cemetery.

     Public visitation will be Monday, June 22^nd from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with family present at Christian Reformed Church in Sibley. We are asking that the social distancing norms be followed, and visiting be kept brief.

     Gerrit DeJong Jr was born April 16, 1930, in Sheldon, Iowa, the 11th of 13 children of Gerrit and Tillie (Feenstra) DeJong.  He lived his youth and attended country school in Osceola County through the eighth grade.

      While participating in church youth group, he met and married the love of his life, Erma (Smidt).  They were married in 1950.  In the early years, Gerrit worked for various farmers and quickly realized farming would be his life.  He raised livestock and grain throughout his farming career in Osceola County, retiring and moving into Sibley in 1999.  After moving “to town” Gerrit became an avid gardener and lawn care enthusiast, taking pride in their lawn & garden on 7th Street.  He was also very meticulous about his vehicles and took pride in caring for his black Buick and his little red pickup. 

     Gerrit & Erma were blessed with six children, 15 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.  Gerrit always enjoyed when the family would get together, including every Sunday afternoon, when the “locals” would come for pie & ice cream and solve the world’s problems.

     Gerrit was a life-long member of the Christian Reformed Church and served in various roles in the church over the years.  Gerrit also served on the Farmers Co-op Elevator Board and enjoyed his years as a Garst seed corn salesman.

     Gerrit demonstrated great physical strength when he survived a train crash in 1976, and Guillain Barre Syndrome in 2000.

     Gerrit suffered a stroke on February 13, 2020 and entered Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  He was transferred to Avera Senior Behavoral Care on February 26, 2020.  Due to the Coronavirus, his family was unable to visit him from March 11 through June 8.  Gerrit passed away on Friday, June 19, 2020 at the Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls.

     Gerrit is survived by his wife of 70 years, Erma Jean (Smidt) DeJong, his children:  Diane (Arnie) Langstraat, Sibley, IA; Glenda (LeRoy) DeBoer, Sibley; Gary (Carol) DeJong, Sibley; LaDonn (Bill) Hartzell, Sibley; Susan Beeck, Denver, CO; Curt (Megan) DeJong, Sioux Falls, SD; as well as sisters, Louisa Jacobsma and Tillie Rook and brother Arnold DeJong.  He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

     Gerrit was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit Sr and Tillie (Feenstra) DeJong; four brothers Frank, Dick, Hessel and Jake; five sisters Trace, Trina, Effie, Gertrude, Jenny; son-in-law, Steve Berning, and great grandson Kenny Taylor.