DeJong, Ronald L. 1943-2008

DEJONG, VAAS, VANDENBOSCH, BETCKE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2012 at 08:08:43

RONALD L. DE JONG
May 4, 1943------ November 28, 2008
Mr. Ronald De Jong, age 65, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, formerly of Orange City, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2008, at the Indian Hills Care Center in Sioux City.
There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, December 3, at 11:00am, at the First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, followed by lunch and fellowship at the church. The Rev. Jerry Gilbreath will officiate. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday, at 2:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, followed by interment at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 3:30pm on Tuesday, with the family present from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, at the funeral home.
Ronald Lee was born on May 4, 1943, at Orange City, the son of Robert M. and Lillian Mae (Vaas) De Jong. He was raised at Orange City.
He lived most of his life in the Orange City and Alton area. He pursued a variety of occupations, including working for Jager Excavating, serving as the Alton policeman, working for the Alton Municipal Utilities, being a salesman, working for the City of Orange City, and driving a tractor for Rozeboom/Bar-k Trucking.
In June of 1963, Mr. De Jong married Lyda Vanden Bosch. In February of 1979, he married Kathy De Jong. In May of 2004, he married Ranelle Betcke Johnson.
He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher and a member of the property committee, which included making repairs on the church. In addition, he used his truck to drive the church float for special events. He was also a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over eighteen years.
Ron enjoyed figure 8 racing, snowmobiling, restoring cars, and working with tractors. He also farmed part-time with Frank Tullar.
Survivors include his wife, Ranelle; eight children and their spouses, Valerie and Bradley De Vos, of Orange City; Vicki and Loren Sohl, of Boyden; Jennifer and Brian Bock, of Killean, Texas; Todd and April De Jong, of Orange City; Sandra and Chris Borchers, of Chandler, Arizona; Emily Johnson, of Sioux City; Tyler and Crystal De Jong, of Hawarden; and Lindsay Johnson, of South Sioux City; ten grandchildren and a spouse, Jamie and David Svoboda, Kayla De Vos, Jessica De Jong, Zachary Sohl, Jordan Sohl, Taylor Sohl, Trevor Borchers, Parker Borchers, Paige Bock, and Gage Bock; an expected grandchild; two great-grandchildren, Shelby and Kaden Svoboda; six brothers and sisters and their spouses, Elinor and Bob Boluyt, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Carol and Irwin Franken and Marlo and Joyce De Jong, all of Denver, Colorado; Marilyn and James Goslinga, of Orange City; Linda and Ken Rhods, of Rock Valley; and Donald and Cindy De Jong, of Alton.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Source: Oolman Funeral Home, Orange City, IA., obit.