Norma Elaine DeJongh, the daughter of John A. and Henrietta (Sandbulte) Schuiteman, was born on November 11, 1937 in Sioux Center, IA.  She attended country school for eight years and graduated from Sioux Center High School. She then attended Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.  Norma was united in marriage to Norman DeJongh on March 26, 1957 in Sioux Center, IA. They lived in Rock Rapids, IA for one year before moving to Luverne, MN in 1958.

Norma was the Executive Director of the Luverne Chamber of Commerce for 17 years. She was very active in promoting community events and especially enjoyed the Tri-State Band Festival. In 1996 Norma was chosen to be the Parade Marshal for the Tri-State Band Festival. She also enjoyed organizing the annual Buffalo Days celebration where she introduced the famed "Buffalo Chip Throwing" contest to the event. She retired from the Chamber in 1997.   Norma's passion for life was her children, her grandchildren and her church. She was a member of the American Reformed Church where she served as President, Treasurer and was Chairwoman of the Women's Guild, having organized an all-women's church service for the 100th anniversary of the Reformed Church Women in 1975. She was also involved in many other church activities; serving as Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School and Catechism teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Choir Director for the adult and men's chorus, Girls League Counselor, RCYF Counselor, and Director of Junior Sunday School Christmas programs. She enjoyed singing solos for church services, weddings and funerals, and she was a soloist for the Northwestern College Choir.  She was a member of the Green Earth Players since 1978 and performed in many of their productions. She was in charge of marketing and served on the GEP Board of Directors for several years.
Norma enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family, writing in her diary every evening, bowling, attending her children and grandchildren's sporting events and loved helping others. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Norma passed away on November 30, 2011 at Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN reaching the age of 74 years and 19 days.

Norma leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 54 years, Norman DeJongh; three children, Merlin and his wife, Geena DeJongh of Omaha, NE, Brian DeJongh of Sioux Falls, SD, and Lori and her husband, J.B. Slight of Creston, IA; daughter-in-law, Robin DeJongh of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Tim (Melisa) DeJongh, Keith DeJongh, Shelly DeJongh, Lance DeJongh, Lacey (Tom) Albright, Nick Slight and Jack Slight; a great-grandson, Christian DeJongh.  She is also survived by her brother, Robert Schuiteman and his wife, Helene of Sheldon, IA; brothers-in-law, John B. Broek of Sioux Center, IA,  Bernie Van't Hul of Sheldon, IA; sisters-in-law, Frances Schuiteman and Wilmina Schuiteman both of Sioux Center, IA,  Christina "Toots" Van Iperen of Luverne, MN, Katherine DeJongh of Springfield, OR, Betty DeJongh of Rock Rapids, IA, Etta DeJongh of Hills, MN and Gert DeJongh of Edgerton, MN;  special friends, June Beernink, LaNita Usher and Joy Abraham; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Craig DeJongh; brothers, Art Schuiteman and Arvin Schuiteman; and sisters, Delma Broek and Wilmina Van't Hul; brothers-in-law, Pete DeJongh, Wesley DeJongh, Harvey DeJongh, Chester DeJongh and Nickolas Van Iperen.

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