Robert John DeYoung

Robert J. DeYoung, age 68, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025 at CHI Health Mercy Hospital.

He was born on June 30, 1957, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to John and Helen (Huyck) DeYoung, Bob graduated from Cambria-Friesland High School in 1976. As a teenager, Bob received Christ Jesus as his Savior and felt called to ministry, a path that led him to earn a bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. It was at Northwestern that his enthusiastic and genuine faith caught the eye of his future wife, Julie.

They were married in 1981 and worked together in church youth ministry for 11 years across St. Anne, Illinois; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and Norco, California. In 1991, Bob and his family moved to SW Iowa, where his ministry focus shifted to nursing. He graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing in 1993 and dedicated himself to caring for others through hospice, home health, public health, and wound care until his retirement in June 2025.

Even as he embraced the vocation of nursing, Bob's first love continued to be the Lord and His people. God produced much fruit through Bob's life as he tenderly served the congregation of Harvest Community Church in Omaha as a beloved elder for over 20 years and was known for his gentle and humble heart.

Bob's deep sense of loyalty and faithfulness was evident in every area of his life. He was a life-long Green Bay Packer fan and loved and coached sports of all kinds. This faithfulness extended without question to his wife, children, foster children and extended family, who never had reason to doubt his sacrificial love and concern for them.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen DeYoung.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Julie DeYoung; his children, Robert C. DeYoung of Council Bluffs, John D. DeYoung (Nicole) of Verndale, MN, and "bonus daughter" Jessica Johnson of Bellevue, NE; his siblings, Rickey DeYoung (Peggy) of Madison, WI, Daniel DeYoung (Doreen) of Randolph, WI, and Gayle Polinsky (Mike) of Old Bridge, NJ; his parents-in-law, Daniel & Linda Chapman of Meriden, IA; and siblings-in-law, Joyce & David Rydstrom of Alta, IA; numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Friday, December 05, 2025. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Harvest Community Church on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Interment is in the Downsville Cemetery. The family will direct memorials in his honor.