Stephen Wayne De Ronde
Stephen Wayne De Ronde
Stephen Wayne De Ronde
October 9, 1957 – May 26, 2013
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age: 55 years
Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather
Steve passed away Sunday at his home surrounded by his family after a two year battle with cancer.
Stephen Wayne De Ronde, son of Kryn and Dorothy Van Weelden De Ronde, was born October 9, 1957, in Oskaloosa. He was a graduate of Oskaloosa Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School in 1975. Following his education, Steve began farming with his father and his brother, Kevin, on the home place. He married Carol Spoelstra, June 24, 1977, at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. They made their first home on a farm near Eddyville that was owned by his sister-in-law, Delores Keith, where they lived for 12 years. In 1986, they purchased their current farm and in 1988-1989, he built the house where he lived until his death. After moving to his farm, he continued his partnership with his brother, Kevin, in their farming operation, as well as driving a semi-truck hauling grain and fertilizer. Steve was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, where at age 19, made profession of his faith in the Lord and later served as a deacon and an elder. Steve was everyone’s friend and he knew no stranger. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with friends, playing softball and spending time with his family.
His family includes his wife, Carol of 35 years; his children: Brian (Courtney) De Ronde of Pella, Brent (Georgina) De Ronde of Oskaloosa, Heather (Matt) Collins of What Cheer, and Kyle De Ronde of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren: M’lynn and Brady De Ronde and Dean and Pippa De Ronde and two more on the way; his mother, Dorothy De Ronde of Oskaloosa; sisters: Judy Hofmans of Hanford, CA; Janice (Corneles) Hofmans of Hanford, CA; Aleda (Randy) Rolffs of Pella; Dot (Duane) Bruxvoort of Pella; brothers: Neil (Betty) De Ronde of Oskaloosa and Kevin (Linda) De Ronde of Oskaloosa; and a sister-in-law, Delores Keith of Oskaloosa.
In addition to his father, Steve was preceded in death by a brother, William Keith De Ronde.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2013, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, with Rev. Dale Visser officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in the church basement preceding the service.
Steve will be buried in the Henness Cemetery, surrounded by the farm where he lived and worked his entire life.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 29th at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 4 – 7 p.m., Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Christian Grade School.
