In Loving Memory of

Clifford Clair DeJager

On April 22, 2016, Cliff had a coffee date with Jesus.  Cliff loved his family, farming, tractors, trucks, Nascar, and coffee-not necessarily in that order.

Cliff was born on September 20, 1936 on the family farm near Iona, Minnesota to Alfred and Jeanette Schaap DeJager.  He grew up on the family farm south of Chandler, MN. Cliff maintained a love of farming throughout his life.  He attended Edgerton School and as a young adult, continued farming with his dad.  On January 20, 1961 he married Marilyn Veld in Chandler.  Cliff also served six years as a Sergeant in the Army National Guard.  Cliff and Marilyn began their family in southwest Minnesota.  They then spent four years in Arizona where cliff worked at a large dairy operation, before returning to Minnesota in 1968.  They continued to grow their family, and raised all six of their children in the Murray County area.  In 1982, Cliff lost his larynx due to throat cancer.  As one who always enjoyed visiting with others, his hand-held speaker did not slow him down one bit.  On more than one occasion, Cliff’s speaker was missing and nobody would admit to knowing where it might be.  Cliff was also quite sure that if he engraved his name on everything he owned, nobody else would want to take it.  His children will verity that this is true.  On July 1, 2004, Cliff married Crisanta.  Soon after, they made their home in Williston, FL.  His children missed him and hoped Cliff would come back home-and after five years of warm, sunny weather, he finally did.  For the next five years, Lindenwood Assisted Living was his home.  While there, Cliff looked forward to the weekly visits from Trinity Lutheran Preschool children.  In December of 2015, Cliff moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton.  Where he enjoyed reminiscing about his first love, farming.  Cliff had many visitors both young and old.  He spent quality time visiting with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his many friends.   Cliff also spent hours watching the many squirrels that gathered outside his window.  During Cliff’s last week, his favorite albino squirrel even made a special daily appearance to say goodbye.

Cliff is survived by his six children, Sherri DeJager and Denny Neugebauer, Ricky DeJager, Bradley DeJager and Kelly Meyeraan, Brenda and Kraig Boese, Donnie and Theresa DeJager and Jodi and Dave Beckmann; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, John DeJager and his wife Elberta and one sister, Viola DeKruif and her husband, Dick.  He is preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Clarence DeJager.

Funeral Services

Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday, April 26. 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev Doug Minton officiating.  The organist is Kathy Schwartz.  The pallbearers are Rick DeJager, Brad DeJager, Donnie DeJager, Denny Neugebauer, Kraig Boese and Dave Beckmann.  Interment is at Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton, MN.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.