Peter Dejongh

was born to Charlie and Ada (Enkhorn) De Jongh on December 13, 1919 at Hull, Iowa. He was baptized at the Reformed Church in Hull, and he attended country school. Upon completion of his education, he moved to California and worked at a dairy farm. He later returned to Hull to help his father farm. In 1946, he married Viola Vanden Bosch. Following their marriage, they farmed by Jasper, Minnesota, and later by Pipestone, Minnesota. Viola preceded him in death on December 26, 1965. After her death, he continued to farm near Pipestone. On August 16, 1968, he was united in marriage to Gertrude Begeman in Colton, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed near Pipestone. In 1987, he established D.J. Fenceline, selling hay trailers and fencing equipment. In 1995, they moved to Edgerton, Minnesota. After being diagnosed with cancer, he entered the Pipestone County Hospice House on June 23, 2009. He died there on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at the age of 91 years, six months and eight days.

Peter was an active member and served as an elder at the Luverne Christian Reformed Church and also the Pipestone Christian Reformed Church. He was currently a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton where he served as a council member. He also served on the Southwest Christian School Board. Since 1972, he was an active member of Gideons International. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends over a cup of coffee.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 42 years, Gertrude De Jongh of Edgerton, Minnesota; his five children, Elaine Hildebrandt and her husband Cecil of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Virgil De Jongh and his wife Von of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Virginia DeKam and her husband Don of Leota, Minnesota, Marlis De Jongh of Seattle, Washington, and Larry De Jongh and his wife Joanne of Pipestone, Minnesota; four stepchildren, Gordon Begeman and his wife Andrea of Fresno, California, Barb Spronk and her husband Jerlyn of Edgerton, Minnesota, Edwin Begeman and his wife Kim of Winthrop, Minnesota, and Christine Kuik and her husband Dan of Steen, Minnesota; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one brother, Norman De Jongh and his wife Norma of Luverne, Minnesota; one sister, Christina Van Iperen of Luverne, Minnesota; several sisters-in-law, Kathryn, Betty and Etta DeJongh; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Viola; his parents; four brothers, Chester, Wesley, Harvey, and one who died as an infant; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and his brother-in-law, Nick Van Iperen.

Memorials are preferred to the Pipestone County Hospice House and the Gideons International.