De Jong, Pete (P.K.) 1907-1988

DE JONG, DEN BRIEJEN, LANGSTRAAT, WAHL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 11/17/2006 at 18:37:51

Pete De Jong, the son of Klaas Pieter and Peternella Den Briejen De Jong, was born on July 10, 1907 in Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands. He came to America with his parents as an infant. His family farmed near Otley and Monroe, Iowa. In later years, he parents moved into Pella. Peter, or P.K., as he was known, was united in marriage with Alice Langstraat on December 16, 1926, at her parents' home near Pella. To this union six children were born: David, Donald, Stephen, Esther Alice, Marvin and Naomi. P.K. and Alice spent several years farming in the Knoxville and Pella area, before moving to Knoxville in 1938. P.K. was a self-employed carpenter from 1938 until his retirement. On February 15, 1984, P.K.'s wife Alice passed away. On May 25, 1985, he was united in marriage with Wanda Wahl. Together, they have lived in Knoxville and enjoyed P.K.'s semi-retirement. He was still a carpenter in retirement, always making and repairing various projects that would come up. He enjoyed visiting his children, other relatives and friends, especially those at the Senior Citizens Center of Knoxville. P.K.'s pride and joy was his family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His interest in them was intense, and he enjoyed being a grandpa to them. P.K. was a dedicated Christian, and a member of the Oskaloosa Gospel Tabernacle. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a young age. He was a loving and faithful husband and father. P.K. was enjoying good health, when suddenly, on Wednesday afternoon, February 24, 1988, he suffered a fatal heart attack while at his home. He was 80 years, seven months and fourteen days of age at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; four sons and their wives: David and Esther De Jong, of Tomson, Georgia; Donald and Jeannine De Jong, of Knoxville, Iowa; Stephen and Millie De Jong, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Marvin and Gwen De Jong, of Grand Junction, Colorado; two daughters and their husbands: Esther Alice and Eno Gadbois, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Naomi and Dennis Nelson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Also surviving are 33 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren; one brother, Nick De Jong, of Pella, Iowa; and one sister, Mrs. Bessie Leydens, of Newton, Iowa; two stepsons: John and his wife Jodi Wahl, of Knoxville, Iowa; and Kenneth Wahl, of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alice, one grandson, one great-grandson, two step-grandsons, and twelve brothers and sisters.

Source: Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home obituary card