Jong De

Robert "Bud" DeJongRobert "Bud" DeJong of Longmont, CO, passed away May 22, 2012, at Longmont United Hospital. Bud was born in Mitchell, SD on February 7, 1930 to Bert and Ethel (Anderson) DeJong. Bud attended grade school in Storla, SD, high school in Letcher, SD, and graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD. On July 1, 1951, he married Virginia Mattheis, and on November 28, 1951, Bud was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Kentucky for 7 months and then sent overseas during the Korean War. Bud received his Honorable Discharge from the military in 1954, and returned back to Plankington, SD with his family. Their marriage was blessed with five children.Bud was a remarkable salesman who truly loved the profession and interacting with people of all walks of life, but especially farmers and ranchers. His career over the next 30 years took him into the homes and hearts of hundreds in several different agricultural communities through farm implement dealerships and A.O. Smith Harvestore ownership throughout South Dakota, Colorado and Missouri.In 1984, Bud moved to Longmont, CO, where he transferred his sales knowledge in agriculture to heavy equipment and trucks, as well as car sales over the next 20 years. Bud loved spending time with friends and family. He especially loved his "lap time" with Jake, his loyal dachshund.Grateful for having shared his life are his long-time companion, Helen Raber, Longmont, CO; children: Debi (Larry) Twiss, Aberdeen, SD; Trudy Ault (Don-deceased), Ft. Collins, CO; Michael (Margaret) DeJong, Inver Grove Heights, MN; Teri (Terry) Bosma, Rapid City, SD; and Ron (Robin) DeJong, Aurora, CO; 12 grandchildren: Amy (Paul) Speed, Tasha Twiss, Ashley (Kevin) Bennett, Brittany Twiss, Tricia (Chris) Rieple, Nicholas (Char) Ault, Adam (Chantelle) DeJong, Andrea DeJong, Chris Bosma, Nicole Bosma, Aaron DeJong, and Benjamin (Jana) DeJong; 8 great-grandchildren: Bobby Speed, Veronica Speed, Drea Bennett, Braelyn Bennett, Jonah Rieple, Olivia Rieple, Caden Rieple, and Maya DeJong; his sister, Lorraine Dodd, Mitchell, SD, and many nieces and nephews. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother-in-law, 2 nephews, and son-in-law.A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 11:00 AM, at Ft. Logan, Denver, CO, with a Celebration of Bud's Life being held immediately following the service at the Elks Lodge #1055 in Longmont, CO, at 306 Coffman St. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Elks Club. Service Information A service summary is not available