James D. DeJong

James D. DeJong passed away on March 30, 2024, at Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Pastor Chris Davis will officiate. 

The service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable below.

James Dean DeJong was born on March 10, 1960, to Lawrence and Margaret “Muggs” (Wattier) DeJong in Milbank, SD. He is the sixth of eight children born to Lawrence and Margaret. Jim's siblings always claimed he was a stinker growing up, but Jim said nothing was ever his fault. He considered every stunt to be hilarious. As a kid, he would often ride his bike 4-5 miles to his Koch cousins, to hang out and ride their horses. Jim graduated from Milbank High School in 1978. After his education Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in 1978 and was honorably discharged in 1996 as Chief Petty Officer. Jim was proud of his time in the service. Jim lived in many states over his life and worked numerous jobs which included Kroger Co., Construction, and as a delivery truck driver. Most recently he worked for Valley Queen Cheese Factory, where he retired from in 2022, after he was diagnosed with Lymphoma.

 

Jim was united in marriage to Freda Post on June 10, 2017, at the Milbank Golf Course. The couple liked horses and went on many trail rides together. Jim liked the Minnesota Vikings and always knew they'd win the Super Bowl...was still waiting! Jim loved golf but couldn't count past 4 on any hole! He always looked forward to golfing in Arizona in the Spring with his brothers: Dave and Dan, and his brother-in-law, Billy. While in Milbank, he always golfed up until the first snowfall and then it was the end of golfing for the season in South Dakota. Once a year Tim would use their dad's old golf clubs and would try to beat Jim on the course. Tim would end up with a score of 98....on 9 holes! Even with Jim's coaching! Jim also liked to bowl with Freda and his friends. He and his brother, Dan, enjoyed going to state bowling tournaments together. And, of course, dreaming up more fun stories to share. Jim loved his 3 sons and their families. He talked about all of them with much pride and joy. Jim was a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. He was happy to fill his dad's spot in his favorite pew on Sunday mornings.

 

Jim is survived by his wife, Freda DeJong of Milbank, SD; three sons: Ian (Von) DeJong of Springfield, MO; Zachary DeJong of San Diego, CA; Jacob DeJong of Republic, MO; five grandchildren: Isaiah, Kylie, Jovan, Mya, Drew, and one on-the-way, five siblings: Michelle (Dennis) Flanery of Rapid City, SD; Tim (Susan) DeJong of Milbank, SD; David (Linda) DeJong of Sioux Falls, SD; Amy DeJong of Rapid City, SD; Dan (Lynn) DeJong of Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law, Bill Bussell of Rapid City, SD; stepsister, Sherri Rears of Shakopee, MN; and stepmother, Marlene DeJong of  Shakopee, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Margaret, sister, Leanna Bussell, and baby brother DeJong.