De Jong, Alma 1932-2006

DE JONG, MC PHERSON, JAGER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2009 at 18:34:45

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, November 27, 2006

Alma J. DeJong, 74, of Remsen, died Friday, Nov, 24, 2006, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Alma Joyce McPherson was born Oct. 7, 1932, in Hawarden, the daughter of William and Jessie (Jager) McPherson. She graduated from Hawarden High School in 1951. Following graduation, Alma worked as a telephone operator in Hawarden.

Alma was united in marriage to Pierce "Pitts" DeJong on June 12, 1953, at Hawarden. Following Pitts' discharge from the Marine Corps, the family lived in Hawarden, Le Mars and Maurice and in 1974 moved to Remsen. Alma had worked as a bookkeeper at the Struble elevator and the Pamida Store in Le Mars.

Her greatest joy was being a "mom" to her children and a homemaker. She was a very talented seamstress and quilter and also enjoyed crocheting. She loved to play bingo, go antique shopping, and play cards with family and friends.

Survivors include her children: Cindy Athens and her husband Brad of Le Mars, Perry DeJong and his wife Kathy of Le Mars, Dona McMasters and her husband Bryan of Ames, and Amy Lechtenberg and her husband Joe of Sioux City; nine grandchildren: Abby Penning, Ben Penning, Andru Athens, Corey DeJong and his fiancée Suzanne Weber, Angie and her husband Zach Davis, Dylan McMasters, Conner McMasters, Haley Lechtenberg, and Jordyn Lechtenberg; two brothers, Fred and his wife Sharon McPherson of Fort Dodge and Bruce and his wife Darlene McPherson of Hawarden; in-laws, Jeanette McPherson, Barb McPherson, Vivian McPherson, Elmer McMillian all of Hawarden, Darlene McPherson of Omaha, John and Leola DeJong of Maurice, Milo, Neva DeJong of Washington, Nelson DeJong and his special friend Leni of Phoenix, Ariz., Greta and John DeZeeuw of Sioux Center and Nelvina and Gerald Wissink of Sioux Center; and several nieces and nephews.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jessie (Jager) McPherson; her husband, Pierce "Pitts" DeJong on Oct. 26, 2006; two sisters, Genevieve McMillian and Dorothy Harvey; and four brothers, James, Milo, Donald, and Raymond McPherson.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars with the Rev. Drew Tomberlin officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today (Monday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present to greet friends after 5 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitations will continue Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Paul DeZeeuw, Ken McMillian, Kelvin McMillian, William Harvey, Larry McPherson, and Kelly Beitelspacher.