Karl DeJong

Karl DeJong, Dawson died peacefully on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN at the age of 77, surrounded by his family.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Hope Reformed Church in Montevideo.

Karl Evan DeJong was born on December 5, 1947, in Hull, Iowa, to Raymond and Mina (Van Der Vliet) DeJong. He was baptized on March 7, 1948, at Carmel Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa. Karl's early years were spent in the Montevideo area, where his family farmed. He graduated from Montevideo High School in 1965, and shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1966 to 1970.

On March 28, 1969, Karl married LaVon Tinderholt at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Together, they made a home for themselves in rural Dawson and raised four children: Debra, Karla, Travis, and Troy. Karl spent 50 years farming, dedicating his life to both his family and his work on the farm.

Karl was a member of Hope Reformed Church in Montevideo and also a proud member of the American Legion. Above all, Karl cherished time with his family. He often joked that if he had known how much joy grandkids would bring, he would have had them first. Sundays were reserved for family and fun, whether it was playing baseball, volleyball, Frisbee, or games like Captain May I, and Fox and Geese with his children. He loved spending a week at a lake each year where he would spend hours pulling the kids behind the boat. He went on numerous fishing trips, motorcycle rides, camping excursions, and went hunting with loved ones.

Later in life he enjoyed playing cards, Farkle, and marbles with family and friends. In the winter, Karl and LaVon enjoyed their time in Arizona, where they took part in activities like Razor rides in the desert, playing buck, and eating at local establishments. Most recently, Sunday afternoons were spent with LaVon going for rides in the Can-Am side-by-side. These rides were conveniently timed to have supper in a local town.

Karl’s legacy of love for his family, his strong work ethic, and his sense of humor will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Karl is survived by his wife, LaVon; children: Debra(Kyle) Smith, Herman, MN, Karla (Sam) Drown, Marshall, MN, Travis (Julie) DeJong, Orono, MN, Troy (Angie) DeJong, Montevideo, MN; 10 grandchildren: Sarah (Tyler) Smith, Justin Mettling, Joshua Jackson, Tyler DeJong, Hailey Jackson, Brooke DeJong, Ally DeJong, Nate Drown, Ashley DeJong, Aiden DeJong; siblings: Marvin (Beva) DeJong, Montevideo, Vernon (Barb) DeJong, Montevideo, Leonore (Brad) Johnson, Princeton, Cheryl (Harv) VanRoekel, Alexandria, Darrell (Vicki) DeJong, Minnetonka; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, LeRoy and Carmen Tinderholt; brother, Roger DeJong; sister, Debra DeJong, and nephew Darrell Glenn.