Surnames: Burkland, Carlsen, DeJong, Hinman, Isaksson, St. John, St. John-Pearsoll

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, November 30, 2011, online edition

DeJong, Hugo (October 4, 1922 - November 28, 2011)

Hugo DeJong, 89, died on Monday, Nov. 28, with his daughter at his side. He was most recently a resident of Villa St. Clare in Neenah.

Hugo was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting and fishing, especially fly fishing. He tied some of his own flies and loved to test them. He also loved organizing activities and getting involved. Hugo was president of the Taylor County Youth Fair for about 35 years. He was a curling coach and had a couple of excellent teams that placed first at the state meet. He was involved with the church council and choir at the United Church of Christ for many years, Trees for Tomorrow, the Town and Country Breakfast, the livestock show and sale and many activities with the FFA and FHA. Hugo had the utmost respect for the farming community and was proud to be part of it. He especially loved the farm visits and talking to the farm families. As busy as he was, he made time for his family, keeping Sundays as family day.

Hugo was born in Herbster on October 4, 1922. His parents were Sjoerd and Boukje DeJong. He attended Herbster elementary and high schools, and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he met Margeret "Marge" Carlsen, married her on March 9, 1946 in River Falls, and had a wonderful marriage for 63 years, until her death in 2007. While attending River Falls, Hugo entered World War II as an Army tank gunner. After the war, he returned to finish his education at River Falls and entered the teaching profession as an agriculture teacher, first in Dorchester and then Medford for 38 years.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Medford and Medford American Legion.

Hugo is survived by his son, Duane DeJong of Alaska; his daughter, Kay (Katie) and son-in-law, Jon St. John of Neenah; and granddaughter, Sonja St. John-Pearsoll of Summerville, S.C.

Hugo was preceded in death by his wife, Marge; his grandson, SPC Jon St. John II in 2007; brother, Maynard DeJong; and sisters, Dorothy Burkland and Daisy Isaksson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the United Church of Christ, with Rev. Cathy Hinman officiating, and military rites performed by the Medford Military Honors Team.

Inurnment of his cremated remains will take place at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II.

Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the family for future designation.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.