Anna De Jong, age 98 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday October 6th, 2014 at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rock Rapids, IA.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, October 10th at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with Rev. Paul Soderquist officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, October 9th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of George.
Anna Cena Lamfers was born December 4, 1915 at the family farm southwest of George, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph C. and Essie (Stubbe) Lamfers. She attended country school and as a young lady worked for area families doing various household duties.
Anna was united in marriage to Hessel De Jong on April 14, 1938 at her parents’ home. Together they lived and farmed near Sheldon, Spencer, and Doon, Iowa. In 1948 Anna and Hessel bought and established their own farm east of Rock Rapids, Iowa, where they raised nine children. They retired in 1980 and moved from the farm to a house north of Rock Rapids. In 2008 they moved to Premier Estates Assisted Living in Rock Rapids.
Anna was a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, Iowa since age 12. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, gardening, canning, playing bingo and enjoyed vacationing with Hessel later in life. Anna and Hessel also enjoyed singing in the church choir and listening to gospel music in their home. On March 27, 2010 Anna’s husband, Hessel died, after 72 years of marriage. Anna remained living at Premier Estates until November of 2011 when she entered Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids. She remained living there until her death this past Monday.
She is survived by her children, Beverly (Delbert) Klaassen of Sibley, IA, Lois (Darwin) Willemssen of George, IA, Janice Schneidermann of Little Rock, IA, Nancy Lodes of Luverne, MN, Linda (Dell) Rasmussen of Sioux Falls, SD, Audrey (Bill) Lundy of Slayton, MN, Harold (Jo) De Jong of Little Rock, IA, Karen (Jon) Walker of Sioux Falls, SD, and Greg (Sherri) De Jong of Rock Rapids, IA; twenty-nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; forty-four great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Elvin Lamfers of Sun City, AZ; four sisters-in-law, Jennie Engelkes of Benson, MN, Louisa Jacobsma of Bigelow, MN, Tillie Rook of Rock Valley, IA and Minnie De Jong of Sibley, IA; two brothers-in-law, Gerrit Jr. (Erma) De Jong of Sibley, IA and Arnold De Jong; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hessel De Jong; a son-in-law, Burdell Schneidermann; an infant granddaughter, Kristi Sue Klaassen; a brother, Raymond Lamfers; and two sisters, Frieda Eide and Bernice Becker.
