Manuel "Pete" DeJong

Manuel “Pete” DeJong, 89, passed away April 9, 2024. He was born July 2, 1934 to Manus and Etta (Anema) DeJong in Rock Valley, Iowa. He attended Rock Valley schools until 8th grade when he enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged due to disability.

Pete was married to Carolyn Umphress on November 22, 1958 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Four children were born to them.

Pete worked in many maintenance jobs through the years and volunteered helping the elderly in the community. He enjoyed bowling and working outside and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn DeJong; their four children, Brian (Vicki) DeJong, Pam Sevier, Lori Hyde, and Christi (Bob) Tisl; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Evelyn Vis, Esther (Clarence) DeRoon, and Marilyn Doiron; his brother, Corky (Jan) DeJong; sister-in-law, Eileen DeJong; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Fred (Jean), Charlie, Herman, Arnold and Kenneth DeJong.

Services will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation prior from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be held Monday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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