DeJager, Elmer 1921-2012

DEJAGER, VANDEHOEF, BARR

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 3/22/2012 at 06:22:41

De Jager, Elmer
Home Town: Hawarden
Deceased Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Service: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Address: Hawarden Community Church 1700 Central Ave Hawarden, IA 51023
Obituary: Hawarden, IA
Elmer DeJager Hawarden, IA left this world to be with his Christ on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, after an extended illness at the Hillcrest Health Care Center. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Hawarden Community Church in Hawarden with Pastor Stan Vandersall officiating. Interment will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery.
Elmer was born December 5, 1921 in Ireton, IA near McNally. He was one of 7 children born to
Bert and Eva (Vande Hoef) De Jager. Many happy days were spent as a child on 5 different farms
in northwest Iowa and southeastern South Dakota. Upon graduation from school, he worked
various farm jobs. He joined the United States Army Air Corp at the start of World War II. Elmer
served his nation for 3 years in England. He also served 3 years in the Army Reserve. He
faithfully discharged his duties as ammunitions fusing specialist on B - l 7's and B-24's. Upon
being discharged from the Army he returned to northwest Iowa. There Elmer met his wife,
Maurine I Barr. After getting married, he worked at Albertson's Tool Company for 2 years.
Elmer then decided to own and operate a feed grinding business. Elmer's life changing decision
was made in 1947, when his true life's calling would be to raise cattle and farm. He farmed north of Akron, IA in Union County, South Dakota for 33 years. His love involved raising stock cattle and selling feed calves. Many smiles were present as he worked with his herd, often calling them his "Black Gold."
Elmer is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maurine; 2 sons, James (Ginny) of Rapid City, SD and David of Hawarden, IA; 4 sisters, JoHanna Elgersma of Hawarden, IA, Henrietta Johnson of
Marshalltown, IA, Wilma Veltema of Hudsonville, MI and Audrey Veltema of Jenison, MI; and
brother Clarence of Rib Lake, WI.
Elmer is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald.
Source; Porter Funeral Home, Hawarden, IA., obit.