Andrew J. "Jim" Deyoung

Andrew J. “Jim” DeYoung, age 94 of Randolph, peacefully went to be with his wife Margaret to their eternal home on January 11, 2009, surrounded by his loving family.

Andrew was born on February 1, 1914 in the Town of Courtland, a son to John and Katie (Kampstra) DeYoung. He attended the Courtland School and began farming as a young man. On March 20, 1940, he was untied in marriage to Margaret Heeringa in Friesland, and they farmed in the Randolph area. Besides farming Andrew was employed with the Randolph School District as a bus driver and custodian for several years. He also worked for the Canning Factory in Cambria. In 1970 they retired from farming and moved to the Village of Randolph where Andrew continued in his hard work ethic at the canning factory and as an employee of Standard Oil Company. Andrew lived life to the fullest and enjoyed being with people. Following the loss of his driver’s license, Andrew could be seen cruising town on his scooter, rain or shine. He especially cherished spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, just being together and playing cards. Andrew enjoyed bowling up to age 92. He also enjoyed canoeing on the Boo River near Baraboo. Andrew was a longtime and faithful member of the First Reformed Church of Randolph, where he formerly served as deacon.

Andrew is survived by three children, Joan (Philip) Karow, of Randolph and their children Kelly Karow, Kim Berger, and Keri (John) VerHage; Richard (Marlene) DeYoung, of Randolph, and their children Dawn (Lloyd) Soter, Gary (Pia) DeYoung; and Brett (Kim) DeYoung; Marcia (Mike) Decker, of Beaver Dam and their children Kevin Decker, and DeAnn (Daniel) Gerard; fifteen great-grandchildren, Abby Berger; Margaret and John VerHage; Lauren, Samantha (Fiancé, Mitchel Thiele); and Stephanie Soter; Brent, Brandon, and Christian Joseph DeYoung; Alexandra and Bradley DeYoung; Andrew and Nicholas Trout; Quinn Decker; and Elijah Daniel Gerard; his brother, Myron (Gladys) DeYoung, of Markesan; his brother-in-law, Gerald Heeringa, of Waupun; and Katie Boersma, his special friend of eighteen years. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.

He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret in 1990; his parents; a grandson-in-law, Brian Berger; and three brothers, Garret, Raymond, and Norman.

A Celebration Service of Andrews Life will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009 at First Reformed Church, 406 South High Street, Randolph, with the Rev. Ben Bruins officiating. Burial will be in the Randolph Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the 1 p.m. hour of service.

A Memorial Fund has been established for Dan and DeAnn Gerard’s ministry at Campus Crusade for Christ; and the American Cancer Society.