In Loving Memory of

Johannes “John” DeYonge

John DeYonge, age 96 passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, MN surrounded by his family. He was born on April 13, 1920 near Rushmore, MN to Peter and Jenny (Schrik) DeYonge. He attended school in Rushmore. Then in 1936 moved with his family to a farm near Hadley where he began his lifelong career in farming. He served in the United States Navy during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and has always been proud of his service to our country.  On October 4, 1950 he was united in marriage to Veronica "Vonnie" Thraen at St. Columba Catholic Church in Iona, MN.  They were blessed with 9 children, 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. They farmed near Hadley until April 1959 when they moved their young family to Buena Park, CA where John worked for Rubberoid Tile Company, Gibson Moving & Storage and Shell Gas Station as an auto mechanic. In 1966, they decided to return to the farm near Hadley where they lived and farmed until 2014 when they moved to Sunrise Terrace Apartments in Slayton. John also spent 21 years hauling sugar beets during harvest time near Breckenridge, MN.  He was no stranger to hard work and devoted a great deal of his time in service to others thru the Iona VFW of which he was a lifetime member and served as Post Commander for 19 years, his church St Columba Catholic Church, and to all his friends and family. If there was a need, he was there to help however he could. He loved spending time with family and friends, playing cards, fishing, and restoring antique tractors.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Vonnie; children, Ken DeYonge of Whitehall, MT, Bill (Deb) DeYonge of Pierre, SD, Rochelle (Kent) Hasse of Chaska, MN, Rex DeYonge of Sturgis, SD, Lori Speckmeier of St Paul, MN, Jeff (Tanya) DeYonge of Glencoe, MN, Melinda Roberts of North Mankato, MN and James (Lynette) DeYonge of Slayton, MN; 25 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Grace Baum of Algonquin, IL and Helen Johnson of Elk River, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Tom DeYonge, daughter-in-law, Sandra DeYonge, four brothers, Herman, Peter, Albert and James DeYonge and one sister, Josephine Veldhuisen.

Funeral Services

St. Columba Church in Iona, MN on Friday, June 24, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Gregory Parrott officiating.  The organist is Sharon Lais.  The song Leader is Deb Pack.  The pallbearers are his grandchildren.  Interment is at St. Columba Cemetery in Iona, MN.  Blessed be his memory.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at St. Columba Church in Iona from 4-7 p.m. with rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a prayer services at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.