De Jong, Paul Glenn 1934-2020

DEJONG, EASON, VANDERZWAAG

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

Mr. Paul De Jong, age 86, of Orange City, left his earthly form to join his heavenly father on Sunday, July 26, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars. After months of failing health, he passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, August 11, at 10:00am, at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. The Rev. Robert De Boer will officiate. The family will have a celebration of his life at a later date. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

In an effort to abide by the recommendation of social distancing, we encourage you to use our website, www.oolman.com, to leave a message of condolence and/or print a memorial folder.

Paul Glenn was born on April 19, 1934, in Orange City, the son of Harry Adolpheus and Zella Verne (Eason) De Jong. As a boy, he worked with his father on the family farm and attended school in Maurice, were he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the United States Army in May of 1956 and served at Fort Bliss, Texas for two years. Paul never shied away from hard work and showed a lifelong dedication to his faith, family, and country.

On November 13, 1959, he was united in marriage to Lois Kathleen Vander Zwaag in Orange City. They were married for more than fifty years. Together they had five children, but lost their son, Ricky, in infancy.

Paul took over the family farm from his father, marking over 100 years of the land being worked by the De Jong family. He took tremendous pride in his home and farm which he maintained in pristine form.

He was known for his quiet and selfless generosity, giving whatever he had to spare to those in need, often not telling his own family of his deeds. Paul shared his faith widely, bringing loaves of his wife’s famous banana bread along with the good news of Christ. The many friends who have shared stories of his kindness and the lives he touched have brought untold joy to his family over the last several months.

His love of sports was second only to his love of God and family. Paul could always be found cheering on the Northwestern Basketball team, bringing them food and encouragement, and even winning a national award as Fan of the Year. He rarely missed an Iowa Hawkeye game and could be entertained for hours talking on the merits of football strategy with his grandsons.

He was a strong patriarch for his family, a good friend to all, and an outstanding example of Christian ministry. He was a generous, proud, and kind man who will be missed by many.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Lois; his children and their spouses, Randall and Kathi De Jong, and their children, Ross, Mark, Kaiti, David, and Joshua; Robert and Lynette De Jong, and their children, Sara, Grant, and Garret; Douglas and Megan De Jong, and their children, Darynne, Jeffrey, and Abby; and Leisha and Paul Fischer, and their children, Jacob, Jordan, Seth, and Bethany; his great-grandchildren, Emma, Donovon, Claire, Ezra, Greta, Olivia, Madeleine, Delilah and MacKenzie; a sister; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

In lieu of gifts and flowers, Paul would ask that those who wish to honor him lend a helping hand to someone in need.

Condolences may be sent to Lois De Jong at Good Samaritan Society; 1140 Lincoln Street Northeast; Le Mars, Iowa 51031.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.