De JONGH, Sophia (Vander Wilt) 1918-2006

DE JONGH, VANDER WILT, DE GROOT, ARNASON, SCHWALBE, DEGOOYER

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 10/26/2013 at 14:39:20

Sophia T (Vander Wilt) De Jongh – April 15, 1918 – June 4, 2006

Sophia T. DeJongh, 88, of Chisago City, Minnesota, and formerly of Willmar, Minnesota, and Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, June 4, 2006 at Margaret S. Parmly Residence in Chisago City.

Funeral services will be 2:30 pm, Thursday, June 8, 2006 at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm, Wednesday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar with a 7:00 pm Prayer Service and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Sophia was born on April 15, 1918, in Middleburg, Iowa, the daughter of Anthony and Sadie (De Groot) Vander Wilt. She attended Country School and graduated from Hull Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. She worked as a homemaker for various families in the area.

On July 8, 1941, she was untied in marriage to Edwin J. DeJongh in Middleburg. Following their marriage, Ed served his country in the United States Army during World War II at which time Sophie remained home. Upon Ed’s discharge, they resided in Rock Rapids where they raised their family. Sophia worked for some time as a dietary cook at the Rock Rapids Hospital.

In 1984, they moved to Skyline Estates in Spicer and later to Willmar in 1990. Since 2002, Sophie has been residing in nursing care facilities in Willmar, Rogers and Chisago City suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Sophia was baptized and made her affirmation of faith at Free Grace Reformed in Middleburg and was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church in Spicer.

Ed and Sophia enjoyed traveling and spending winters for over 20 years in Arizona. Her family recalls her concern and compassion for others, strangers and family alike, helping whoever needed it. Sophia and Ed were truly Good Samaritans. Her greatest joy and satisfaction was her family and all that she could do for them.

Surviving are her husband, Edwin and son, Keith (and Marlene) DeJongh of Chisago City; son-in-law, Michael Buscemi of Bismarck, North Dakota; three grandchildren, Dr. Sharlene (and John) Arnason of Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota; Michele (and Michael) Schwalbe of Andover; Brian (and Annie) DeJongh of Somerset, Wisconsin; six great grandchildren, Jack and Katherine Arnason, Allison and Will Schwalbe, Eli and Lake DeJongh; brother, John T. (and Yetty) VanDerWilt of Spirit Lake, Iowa and sister, Mae DeGooyer of Sioux Center, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Ruth Buscemi and a sister in infancy.

West Central Tribune, Wilmar, Minnesota, August 25, 2006