Judith Ellen Olson De Jong
  • Born on: July 17, 1934
  • Departed on: February 3, 2007

Judith Ellen Olson De Jong

Judith Ellen Olson De Jong, 72, of Ames, died on Saturday, February 3rd at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Judy was born on July 17, 1934 in Mason City, Iowa, to Ellen Edythe and Frederick Joseph Olson. Judy graduated Mason City High School in 1952 and attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota; and University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota. After college, she spent 5 years teaching at the Anoka-Hennepin School District in Anoka, Minnesota, and the West Covina School District in West Covina, California. On June 11, 1960, she married Paul Stephen De Jong at the brides family home in Mason City, Iowa. After raising her two children, she was employed at Iowa State University in the Office of the Registrar in the Fee and Registration division. Following retirement in 1999, Judy enjoyed researching her family genealogy, "motoring" the United States with her husband, and spending time at her Clear Lake cabin with her family. She used her editorial and typing skills and an IBM Selectric Typewriter to prepare camera-ready copy manuscripts of the National Publication "Engineering Design Graphics Journal," and the manuscript for 3 editions of the 400 page college textbook "Engineering Graphics." In 1976 she was asked to assemble and lead a team of secretaries to act as a "local White House" staff during President Gerald Ford''s visit to Ames. She was an avid collector of antiques, assembled one of the foremost collections in the United States of Ceramic Art Studio Pottery, and was contributing researcher and editor for both editions of the Ceramic Arts Studio collectors guide. She enjoyed an active life and giving back to her community. She was a member of the Iowa State University Faculty Women''s Club and Chair of the Newcomer and Fine Arts Divisions; charter member and past president of Oaks Ames Quester group; associate member and past president of the local Beta Tau Delta organization; member of Chapter HO of P.E.O.; chair of the 1973 Mary Greeley Hospital Auxiliary Charity Ball; appointed to the 1976 Bicentennial Commission of Ames; Girl Scout leader and den mother; appointed by the Ames School Board to serve on two Ad Hoc School Facilities committees; studied art under the tutelage of ISU artist-in-residence Dwight Kirsch; board member of Ames League of Women Voters; member of the Ames Daughters of American Revolution (DAR); member of Des Moines Daughters of American Colonists (DAC); co-chaired the Annual Roosevelt Neighborhood Sale for ten years; member and past president of the Roosevelt neighborhood Emanon chapter; and a member of the Collegiate Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Paul De Jong of Ames; daughter Deidre Kroll and husband Mark of Ballwin, Missouri; son Tollif De Jong and wife Anjali of West Des Moines, Iowa; sister Sabra Laumbach and husband Ronald of Chaska, Minnesota; cousin Barbara Soukup and husband Anthony of Georgetown, Texas; cousin Susan Telkamp of Ivanhoe, Minnesota; cousin Keith Olson and wife Joan of Manasquan, New Jersey; cousin Fern Atkins and husband Slim of Alexandria, Virginia; cousin Betty Lu Grune and husband George of Ponte Verde Beach, Florida; nephew Derek Laumbach of Chaska, Minnesota; and nephew Langdon Laumbach and wife Tanya of Apple Valley, Minnesota. Also surviving are her three granddaughters Sophia Kroll, Emma De Jong, Malini De Jong, and her grandnephews Henry Laumbach, Owen Laumbach, and Thomas Laumbach. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Joseph and Ellen Edythe Olson. Two Celebrations of Life will be held; Thursday, February 8th from 4-6 pm at the Ames Golf and Country Club, and Saturday, February 10th from 4-6 pm at the Mason City Holiday Inn. The family asks that flowers and memorials be given to the Israel Family Hospice House, 400 South Dakota Avenue, Ames, Iowa, 50014.
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