David Lynn DeJongh

David Lynn DeJongh, 73, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully at Ava’s House on November 28, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 4, at Prairie Hills Covenant Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 - 11:00am with family present from 10:00 - 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ava’s House or the Banquet in Sioux Falls.

Dave was born to Delmer and Zepha (Kroese) DeJongh on June 6, 1951 in Rock Rapids, IA. He attended Central Lyon School, graduating in 1969. David obtained a degree in business and psychology at Northwestern College in Orange City and graduated in 1973. While teaching at Hope Haven School in Rock Valley, Dave received a Master’s Degree from Augustana College in the area of Special Education.  In addition to teaching at Hope Haven School, Dave taught at River Valley School and at Rock Valley Community School. After retiring from teaching, he became a classroom aide in the elementary special education class at Rock Valley. His career in teaching and assisting special needs children from preschool age to high school spanned from 1973 to 2014. His quiet nature and gentle approach were great assets in his career.

While teaching at River Valley School, Dave met a fellow teacher, Karla Sietstra, and they were married on August 7, 1982. In addition to teaching, Dave enjoyed singing with various choirs and with his brother, playing cards with friends, planning get togethers for Christmas or just for fun, traveling, being with people, and eating out. His greatest joy came from being a dad to Katelyn and Christian and encouraging them in their dance and music activities, their educational pursuits, and their careers. When he became a grandfather, everything took second place to the happiness and pride he had being “Papa”.

Dave will be lovingly remembered as a husband to Karla, a father to Katelyn (Jaris Tilstra) and Christian (fiancé Maddy Pfeiffer), and grandfather to Coen, Eden, and Theo Tilstra. He is also survived by his sister-in–law Lynne DeJongh, nephew Andrew DeJongh, and Karla’s family:  Philip and Marcia Sietstra, Lavonne Sietstra, Dale and Lila Sietstra, Cheryl and Dennis Rodger, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grand nephews.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kent, two brothers-in-law John and Larry Sietstra, a sister-in-law Linda Sietstra, and a nephew Joseph Sietstra.