Joan Harriet DeJongh, 88, Luverne, died Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital.
The family will have a private service and burial, with a public visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, at American Reformed Church in Luverne.
Joan DeRoo was born on July 28, 1933, to Henry and Caroline “Carrie” (Vande Griend) DeRoo in Hospers, Iowa. She was baptized at the Christian Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa. She spent her early childhood years in Hull. In 1942 her family moved to Hills, and in 1948 they moved to the neighboring community of Beaver Creek. She graduated from school in Hills.
On Dec. 18, 1952, she married Preston DeJongh at the Hills Christian Reformed Church. The couple made their home on a farm near Steen from 1952-1969 and then on a farm near Hardwick from 1969-1975. They moved to Jasper in 1975, where they resided for 10 years. During this time Joan worked at Fey Industries in Edgerton. In 1986 the couple moved to Pierre, South Dakota, where they managed a goose hunting ranch for a year. Following that adventure, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where they managed apartments from 1986 until 2005. The couple retired in 2005. After Preston’s death, Joan moved to the Luverne area in 2007.
Joan was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. She enjoyed reading, embroidery and gardening. She especially loved spending time with her family.
Joan is survived by her children, Wannetta (Ron) Lloyd of Clear Lake, Lee (Cindy) De Jongh of Hudson, Colorado, Jolene (Don) Walhof of Pipestone, Charla (Gerald) Sandbulte of Hardwick, Nadine (Gene) Schoep of Edgerton, Barb (Tim) Gunnink of Aurora, Colorado, and Pete (Sharon) De Jongh of Belgrade, Montana; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Carmen Van Zee of Sunburg, Sharon Melin of Sunburg, and Connie (Herman) TeBrake of Brooten; one brother, Allan DeRoo of Worthington; and sisters-in-law, Wilma DeRoo of Brandon, South Dakota, and Dorothy DeRoo of Brooten.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Preston; her parents; three brothers, Wilmer DeRoo, Henry Lloyd DeRoo, and Marvin (Betty) DeRoo; and in-laws Don Melin, Don Van Zee, Wilbert (Bud) and Geneva Van Hill.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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