JESSIE DEJONG

Funeral services for Jessie DeJong, 91, of Springfield are were Saturday, February 15 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial was in the church cemetery, rural Springfield. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield was in charge of arrangements.

Jessie Louise DeJong was born to Benjamin and Wendelena (Winnie) Vanderlei (Odens) near Springfield on August 19, 1928. She died Monday, February 10, 2020 at the Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House in Yankton. Jessie attained the age of 91 years, five months and 22 days.

Jessie attended Perkins and Donnely country elementary schools. She then attended and graduated from Springfield High School in 1946. She also attended Southern State Normal College.

Jessie married Herbert De- Jong on February 28, 1947 and to this union seven children were born. They farmed near Springfield until their retirement in 2002, when they moved into Springfield.

Jessie was a faithful member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield and served in the Willing Workers and the Guild. Jessie was also a long-time member of the Dakota Club.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Harlan and wife Frances DeJong of Springfield; Donald and wife Cheryl DeJong of Forney, TX; Diann and husband Dave Habicht of Rapid City; Keith and wife Denise of Yankton; Karen and husband Brent Reissig of Springfield; Robert and wife Betty DeJong of Austin, TX; Kevin and wife Tonia DeJong of Yankton; 20 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; one brother Clarence and wife Lyla Vanderlei of Springfield; two sisters: Phyllis and husband Leslie Hanson of Viborg, and Janice and husband Dale VanGerpen of Yankton.

Jessie was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her two brothers, Casper Vanderlei and Philip Vanderlei.