The Lord blessed Cornelius and Goverdena Klyn De Jong with the birth of their daughter, Dorothy Pieternella, on May 7, 1923. She grew up in the Sully-Knoxville-Prairie City area. In 1940 the family lived near Otley when Niel was asked if Dorothy would please attend the newly organized school called "Pella Christian High School." She attended PCHS for her senior year of high school and graduated with the first class of PCHS in 1941.

After completing school Dorothy went to work at V&R Grocery until she met Dick De Koning. On their first date they attended a Sunday evening church service. This was the foundation on which they built their relationship. They were married on February 17, 1955, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella with the Reverend P.Y. De Jong presiding.

Dorothy became her husband's right hand, working side by side in the fields and in their home. To Dick and Dorothy's union were added a daughter, Denise, in 1957 and a son, Curtis, in 1960. They raised their children with God's direction and Christian Education.

Dick was suddenly and unexpectedly called by the Lord to his heavenly home on May 22, 1975. Dorothy and the children moved to Pella and resided at 711 University Street. Dorothy then went back to work at the grocery store which was then known as Pella's Super Valu. Dorothy became "Grandma Dorothy" to many children of all ages until her retirement.

In 1979 she met Simon Bokhoven through the First Christian Reformed Church. Simon and Dorothy were married in September 1980. She proudly added three sons, their wives, children and grandchildren to her family.

Dorothy and Simon were able to return to Simon's birthplace in the Netherlands as well as visit with family and friends. Dorothy then cared for Simon until he was called home by the Lord on February 21, 2002.

Dorothy loved all children and her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. She always carried many pictures of her grandchildren and proudly displayed them on Grandparent's Day at school.

Dorothy was released from this earthly home on April 9, 2010. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Dick and Simon; a brother, Nick De Jong; and granddaughter, Cheryl Hoogstrate.

Her surviving family are:

Denise and Tom Hostetter of Pella
Kermit R. Van Zee II
Jason Van Zee
Tammy Benter
Tim Hostetter
Gabe Hostetter

Curtis and Karen De Koning of Sioux Center, Iowa
Katie De Koning
Kristi De Koning
Dirk De Koning

Ken and Wanda Bokhoven of Ada, Michigan
Laura Buffaim
Bill Hoogstrate
Vaughn Bokhoven

Mel and Barbra Bokhoven of Marietta, Georgia
Michelle Roberts

Stan Bokhoven of Indianapolis, Indiana

Dorothy also proudly claims twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Sadie Albright of Sully, Iowa, and one brother, Ernest De Jong of Pella.

Grandma Dorothy will be missed by her family, friends and the many whose life she touched with a laugh, smile, works of encouragement and the twinkle in her eye. Please help us celebrate her life by doing an act of kindness as she often did without thinking of herself first.

FUNERAL SERVICES

11:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 13, 2010
First Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Begins at noon on Monday, April 12, 2010
with family present 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS

MEMORIALS MAY BE GIVEN TO:
Pella First Christian Reformed Church -
Nicaragua Mission Project

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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