Peter T De Jong

Peter T. De Jong, 88, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Saturday, August 2, 2025, in his home surrounded by family and friends.

Visitation, with the family present, will be held Tuesday, August 5, from 6:30-8:30 PM at Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley. A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, August 6 at 10:30 AM at Carmel Reformed Church with Pastor Ron Boersema officiating. Private family burial will be held at Carmel Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the De Jong family prefers memorial donations be given to Samaritan’s Purse or Wounded Warrior Project, two organizations that were dear to Pete’s heart.

Pete De Jong was born on January 8, 1937 to Tony and Tracy De Jong in Carmel, Iowa. He graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1954 and became a truck driver. In 1957, he joined the National Guard and trained at Ft. Ord in California. In 1961, he served during the Berlin Crisis with The Red Arrow, also known as the 32nd Infantry Division and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He was released in August of 1962 with Honors.

In 1962, Pete graduated with an Associates Degree in Electronic Engineering from DeVry Technical Institute. He started a business hauling manure until he took up farming in 1970 when his father passed away and Pete had to take over the milking at the farm. In 1977, he started working at Franken Implement and Service Inc. and in 1984 at Vande Weerd Combine Salvage, Inc. as a mechanic for both businesses. Pete had a strong work ethic and always strove to do all his jobs well. Pete retired in 2008 and enjoyed having more time for his projects at home, mowing his lawn, riding his Harley Davidson, and helping friends and family with whatever they needed.

Pete married Evelyn Wiersma in 1970 and became father to Scott, Tim and Toni. Pete loved his family, his friends, his church and his Lord. He was always ready for a game of cards but only if the other players had their “heads in the game.” Pete loved hosting “happy hour” at his home and always enjoyed a chance to sit and talk with friends. Pete loved hearing and telling a good joke. He loved collecting interesting memorabilia and decorating the walls of his garage with it. Pete was not afraid to tell you what he thought about something even if it seemed harsh but his gruff exterior and colorful language covered a heart of gold. Pete was a lifetime member of Carmel Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon, an elder and taught catechism and Sunday school for many years. He was always ready to share how grateful he was and we all should be for the gift of salvation we have in Christ.

Pete is survived by his wife, Evelyn; children Tim (Maria Reinders) De Jong of Wisconsin and Toni (Kelly) Shantz of Minnesota; daughter-in-law Jennifer (Koldenhoven) De Jong in Texas; grandchildren, Chloe De Jong, Sofie De Jong, Erin De Jong, Allison De Jong, Erica (Tommy) Karbash, Colin (Samantha) Shantz, Kersten Shantz, and Kayla Shantz; siblings Verna Lindskoog, Jan De Jong and Jim (Kay) De Jong; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Scott De Jong; parents, Tony De Jong and Tracy Vermeer, his brother Butch (Sandy) De Jong and his brother-in-law Don Lindskoog.