Obituary of De Young

Irene J. DeYoung, the daughter of Horton and Arta (Franken) Jacobsma, was born in Orange City, IA on October 9, 1922. She was the first of eight children. Her early childhood was in Sioux County where her family lived and farmed. Her education was in country schools. In her early teens the family moved to Deuel County, SD, farming in the Clear Lake, SD area. At this time Irene worked in a grocery store in Brookings, SD. Her adventurous spirit was awakened in her early twenties and she traveled by train to California with a friend. While there she worked in a munitions plant, grocery store, as a street car cashier, and finally worked as a salesperson in a department store in the ladies’ hats department. Deciding California was too far from her family, she returned to the Midwest. By then the family had moved back to Iowa, living in the May City area. This move would serve to be life changing for her. Quite by accident she met newly returned WWII veteran John DeYoung who became her husband on August 9, 1946. Three children, Vicki, Lanny, and Terry completed their family. John and Irene raised their children in Melvin, attending the First Reformed Church most every Sunday. John and Irene lived in Melvin for sixty-two years. Irene was a devoted wife and mother who truly loved her role as homemaker. She worked hard at housekeeping without many of today’s conveniences and still found time to sew, quilt, hook rugs and crochet in the cooler months, and garden, can, and freeze vegetables and fruits in the heat of the summer. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, sang in the church choir, and was active in the Ladies Circle. In addition she taught her children responsibility and service by taking on the job of the church janitor as a family project. After their children grew up and married, Irene and John enjoyed their new role as grandparents. Irene’s eyesight began to fail from macular degeneration and in 2008 Irene and John moved to Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn where Irene passed away on March 18, 2012, at the age of 89, one week short of her beloved John’s death the previous year. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, brother Harvey Jacobsma, sister Blanche Frick, and sister in-law Delores Jacobsma. Irene is survived by her children: Vicki (Denny) Perry of Spirit Lake, IA, Lanny (JoAnn) DeYoung of Spencer, IA, Terry (Peggy) DeYoung of Park Rapids, MN; five grandchildren: Jennifer, Aaron, and Martha DeYoung, Sara (Garrett) Kovach and Tim DeYoung, and two great grandchildren, Emma and Jack Kovach. Additional family members mourning Irene are brothers Marvin (Irma) Jacobsma of Hartley, IA, Orville (Jan)Jacobsma of Wintersett, IA, Verlyn (Sharon) Jacobsma of Ocheyedan, IA, also twin sisters Ruby (Larry) Brunk of Ocheyedan, IA, Ruth (Nelson) Alsum of Randolph, WS, sister-in-law Gladys Beltman of Sheldon, IA, brother-in-law Vertus Frick of Ankeny, IA and many nieces and nephew In loving memory of Irene J. DeYoung Born ~ October 9, 1922 Died ~ March 18, 2012 Age ~ 89 years 5 months 9 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012 First Reformed Church Melvin, Iowa Clergy Rev. Al Honken Organist Harriet Mouw Soloist Rev. Dan Mayes “In The Garden” Congregational Singing Processional ~ ”Great Is Thy Faithfulness” “The Old Rugged Cross” V. 1, 4 Recessional ~ “Amazing Grace” Pallbearers Jennifer De Young Martha De Young Sara Kovach Tim De Young Mindy Witham Aaron De Young Ken Wimmer Ushers Bill Vierhout ~ Craig Sorenson Inurment Baker Township Cemetery Melvin, Iowa (At a later date)