Joanne DeBoer DeJong went into the arms of Jesus on Sunday morning, Nov. 15, 2015, with her son at her side. “The Lord her God is with her … Rejoicing over her with singing.”
Joanne was born to Barney and Jenny (Verwolf) DeBoer on Oct. 28, 1922, in Corsica, South Dakota. She was the middle child of seven. At an early age she acquired a life-long love of books and the English language, which she imparted to students in her career as a teacher. She attended Corsica Christian Grade School, Corsica High School, Calvin College and South Dakota State Teachers College. She earned a master’s degree in education from Calvin College.
She taught school in South Dakota, Colorado, California, Washington and Michigan. She provided leadership to Vietnamese refugee programs after the Vietnam War. After retirement she was a volunteer tutor and traveled extensively including a round-the-world voyage on a merchant ship.
She is survived by her son John and Leslie DeJong of Lynden; and her grandchildren Randall and Jennifer DeJong of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Julie and Edward Ball of Lynden and Michael and Susanne DeJong of Redlands, California. Her great-grandchildren are Elias and Claire DeJong, Sarah, Bethany, Rebecca and Elise Ball, and Joshua, Carter and Kinley DeJong. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings: Elizabeth, Sam, Ann, George, Alvin and Lyle.
A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Visitation will be held at 2 p.m.
Memorial gifts may be given to any of the following: Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids Christian Schools – Evergreen Program, Lynden Christian Schools and Redlands Christian Schools.
