Wendell Joe DeJong

SHELDON, IOWA ~ Wendell Joe DeJong, 84, of Sheldon, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

   Wendell’s family will have a private inurnment service at Hillside Cemetery in Doon, Iowa at a future date. The Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley, Iowa is assisting the family.

   Wendell Joe DeJong was born September 3, 1940, in Doon, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Edna Mae (Mulder) DeJong. He married Marilyn Anderson at the Congregational Church in Doon on August 29, 1959. The couple made their home in Sheldon, Iowa where Wendell spent 6 years working as a carpenter for Mouw Den Hartog. He then worked at Big 4/Land O’Lakes/AGP Soybean Mill for 34 years. Following his retirement, Wendell worked stocking shelves at Hy-Vee for 3 years. Wendell and Marilyn purchased the Kwiki Car Wash in 1977, which they ran, with the help of their children. His grandchildren have lots of fond memories of “helping” grandpa on the weekends at the car wash.

   Wendell also enjoyed racing his mini sprint car in the tri-state area. Besides racing, Wendell shared many good times on his pontoon boat, fishing and laughing with his children and grandchildren through the years. Driving his Ford 8N tractor was another hobby he liked. He and Marilyn loved to travel and visited all of the states except Alaska and Hawaii! Wendell was always looking for cars, whether it was in the classifieds, car lots or car shows. Watching television, especially westerns, was one of his favorite pastimes.

   Wendell is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Marilyn; 4 children, Kami (Kirk) Johnson of Cherokee, Iowa, Karson (Julie) DeJong of Lake Park, Iowa, Kay (Kurt) DeVries of Custer, South Dakota, and Krisha DeJong of Sheldon; 10 grandchildren, Kortney (Chris) Johnson, Molly Johnson, and Mia Johnson, Lisa (Travis) Holland, Amanda (Kevin) Peck, Jennifer (Matt) Uphoff, and Justin (Stacie) VerMeer, and Bailey (James) Bakker, Riley De Vries, and Jacee De Vries; 17 great-grandchildren, Landon, McKenna, Kade, Lindsay, Sheyanne, Hunter, Zofia, Gregory, Colton, Kori, Kameron, Alivia, Caden, Jack, Charlie, Kip, and Susanna; sister, Belinda (Don) Carlson of Vermillion, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Janice DeJong of Golden, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.

   Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Edna; stepfather, George O’Brien; 2 brothers, Larry DeJong and Carlen DeJong; sister, Karen Watson; and grandson-in-law, David Peck.