Arnold and Joanne De Jong
May 9th, 2022
In Loving Memory
Arnold Conrad De Jong (July 22, 1944 - May 9, 2022)
Joanne De Jong (November 19, 1945 - May 9, 2022)
On Monday, May 9, 2022, we lost our parents, Arnie and Joanne De Jong in a senseless, tragic act. They were taken from this earth through evil, but welcomed into the loving embrace of Jesus. This is our only comfort.
Arnie and Joanne were raised in Abbotsford and were active and respected members in their community and church. They loved their family immensely and took pride in their business, hard work, dependability and integrity. Early in their marriage, they established De Jong Transport and purchased Arnie’s beloved 1965 Hayes truck (“Hazel”) which travelled nearly two million miles with Arnie behind the wheel, transporting produce, fresh berries, flowers and eggs. Joanne worked as a LPN at hospitals in the Vancouver area before staying home to raise their daughters and assist with the business.
Arnie took pride in his work, a job always done well and made sure that his daughters knew that “Father Know Best”. He was a loyal friend to many, and loved socializing over the phone or coffee with his abundance of friends. He loved classical music, camping, fishing, watching old westerns, and being a grandpa. He was one of a kind. Joanne poured her love and energy into her daughters, grandchildren, and extended family. She loved baking, playing the piano, camping, spending time with her daughters and delighted in watching her grandchildren grow. She was the most amazing mom, grandma, sister, aunt, baker, seamstress, and friend. She modeled sacrificial love and joy.
Arnie and Joanne are survived by their loving daughters Sandra, Kimberley and Heather, three son-in-laws, precious grandchildren, loved siblings, beloved nieces and nephews, as well as countless loyal and precious friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 20 at 1:30 PM at Gateway Community CRC located at 2884 Gladys Avenue, Abbotsford. A private graveside service will be held separately.
Special thanks to the Abbotsford Police, IHIT, our parent’s neighbours and friends, and church family.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada or World Renew are greatly appreciated.
Please leave words of love and support for the family.
If you are able, please join us via live stream for the Graveside Service at 11am via https://www.
The link will go live approximately 15 minutes before the service is scheduled to start.
Messages:
Dear family of Arnie and Joanne. Our hearts and prayers are with you with the terrible loss of Arnie and Joanne! May you receive the strength and comfort that you need each day as you deal with all the circumstances surrounding your loss. Also as you miss them in your lives and all they meant to you! Sincerely: John and Margaret Wikkerink
I don't have the words to express the sorrow and sadness we are feeling about the loss of these two amazingly kind, caring and gentle people. I got to know Arnie through my work and his trucking business. There was not a more conscientious or reliable person in the business. And he always took to time to get to know us. A small group of us enjoyed an annual visit to Newland's Golf & Country Club for Sunday brunch so got to know Joanne as well. Our deepest condolences for your immense loss.
Dearest Sandra, Kimberly, Heather and families: Our hearts are heavy with sadness, grief and shock at the passing of Arnie and Joanne. We have known Arnie through business for so many years as he moved horticultural products from the USA to Canada for us. Arnie was a compassionate soul, very humble and deeply caring. Although we did not know Joanne, we could only imagine the beautiful person that she was just by having Arnie as her beloved. Every Christmas break Arnie would come to our office with Purdy's chocolates for our staff, but in the year 2020 Arnie missed our office closure but made certain to ask if he could come around to our home and leave us with an even more special treat: baking from Joanne. We loved the sweetness about him, the gentle and kind man that he was. May you all find peace, somehow, in your enormous loss. Both Arnie and Joanne will be remembered so fondly, forever.
Sandra, Kim and Heather and families please accept my deepest condolences, my heart breaks for you girls. There are no words to describe the shock and pain you must be going through right now. Your dad adored his daughters and grandchildren and was so proud of all of you. He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.
Our deepest condolences to the De Jong and Dykshoorn families at this terribly shocking sad time. I have good memories of visiting our cousins in Abbotsford as a child. Joanne and Helen always took the time to play with their little cousins. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hold onto you’re faith in Jesus. Love Linda Hillman Schiebelbein.
Dear Sandra, Kim, Heather & Family, We are so saddened & shocked at the sudden passing of your dear parents. Words can't express what we feel & want to convey. We had many great chats with your parents, especially your dad if we bumped into him at Tim Hortons. Our heart, love & condolences go out to you. May you feel the loving & comforting arms of our Lord carrying you through these very difficult days. Rest secure in the promises of our Lord that your parents are home with their Heavenly Father. We will continue to uphold you in our prayers. In Christ's Love, Bill & Clare Tinsley
Our condolences to Arnie and Joanne's family and to the Gateway CRC family. our thoughts and prayers are with you. May their legacy of faith and faithfulness be an example to us all.
Both my husband, Don, and I knew Arnie through work and remember him fondly. Our condolences to the family in this horrific time.
To all the daughters/spouses, children, and extended family we're so very sorry for your huge loss. We knew your parents as very kind, and considerate people. May the loving arms of Jesus enfold you, and give you some peace. We are praying for strength as you move forward in this difficult time.
Joanne was the cousin I was closest to while growing up. We spent a week in the summer with each other’s families. Some of my favorite memories are swimming in the creek and acting out our little dramas on the front porch with her sister, Pat. Joanne was sweet, kind and great time to be with. Joanne’s and Arnie’s tragic passing is so very sad. I pray that God’s love will surround you three daughters and families as you process this profound loss.
Dear Family I had the privilege of knowing Arnie for most of my career in the food industry. With his own truck and the many contacts he had throughout North America he was able to transport anything anywhere anytime; amazing service, first class. In our many visits, on the phone and in person we were able to share about our common faith and about our growing families. Our prayer is for God’s Peace and comfort to give you strength and bind you together as a family.
My prayers and condolences go out to you
Joanne and I went to school and church together as children until we graduated from High School. She and her family were very dear. She was always thoughtful, kind and loyal. She could be counted on! In recent years we played “Words with Friends” together, right to her last weekend! Treasure your warm memories of her!
Please accept our condolences. Our hearts go out to your family. You are in our thoughts.
Sandra and family, our hearts break for you at this time. We are praying for you. Peace to you as you go through these very difficult days.
I have known Arnie since early in his trucking career. I hired him to drive one of my favorite trucks, the "Lil Brown Jug." Later, after he started his own business, our friendship continued to grow. We often worked to help one another with trading loads and such. Both in business and personally, I found him to be dependable, trustworthy and generous. I grew to know Joanne over the telephone as we often chatted when I call to talk to Arnie. We became friends as couples. Arnie and Joanne always made a point of attending my special (every 5 year) birthday celebrations. He drove the distance to visit me when I was ill in the hospital That's friendship and that was Arnie. Both he and Joanne had a strong work ethic and took pride in their work. Their family was a first priority to them. They had a strong faith in God and lived it every day through their actions--in all ways. I will miss the long phone conversations with Arnie which continued into late April. Prayers to their family in their shock and grief. We ask for God to give them strength in the difficult days ahead.
Our deep, deep sympathy to you all. We are praying for God's courage and strength to surround you and uphold you. We are also thinking of your parents' precious grandchildren and pray that they will experience God's love and care for them in this very difficult time. Jake and Donna Stelpstra
I first met Arnie in the early 80’s. DeJong Transport and my company (Brown Line) traded a lot of loads back and forth. You could count on Arnie. After I sold my company and Arnie retired we became closer as friends. Due to Covid we couldn’t get together for lunch like we enjoyed before the border closed. On May 4th I was able to enter Canada and enjoyed lunch with Arnie and Dave. I’m still shocked from the phone call the following Monday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Arnie and Joanne’s daughters. Wonderful parents .
Our sincere condolences go out to the entire family & friends. I did not have the pleasure of meeting this amazing couple. My husband Tim did get to spend a couple of days with Arnie at Soap Lake in Washington State. He said how super nice he was. Words cannot explain how sad we are of this tragic news. May god bless all of you. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
There are no words to express how sad we are that this happened to your parents! They were such wonderful people, and they raised wonderful daughters!! Love and prayers for all of you, and may God grant you peace and strength in the days ahead.
The best friends anyone could ever have. Arnie and I started our trucking careers together so many years ago and remained pals all this time. Joanne was always a delight whenever we visited and at functions we all attended. I cannot even begin to know the pain this family is experiencing and we must all try in our own way to help them at this time.
My condolences to the family of Arne and Joanne De Jong. As a trucker, I ran into Arne quite often through the years. He was well liked and respected in the industry. thinking about our last meeting at the BCline drivers reunion (June 2019) I remember our conversation and the fact that he remembered my name and some details from our last meeting. I always enjoyed our talks. He will be missed. Ted Swaluk Nanaimo BC
My condolences to Sandra and the rest of her family. Every time I think of you I pray for you.
I had the honor of knowing and working with Arnie over a number of years with providing freight services to common customers. Arnie was a pleasure to work with. He helped me recently with his many contacts in the transport industry. We are praying and will continue to pray for your family. May you know that God is still in control during this storm, and give you peace. Philip Giesbrecht
I've had the honor of knowing Arnie and Joanne for many years. I did business with Arnie for close to 20 years. He was a dear Christian friend who enjoyed visiting over the phone or in person either here in Sioux Falls or in the early morning at Bob's Burger and Brew in Sumas. My deepest sympathy to the 3 girls their husbands and children
Brett and I cannot imagine the shock your family must be having at this time . We met your Mother and Father in Quebec City. We were at the same treatment place fighting our battle with cancer. We kept in touch, your parents were lovely friendly and kind people. May you find peace soon and remember the cherished memories.
It saddens and shocks us that this couple happen to such an awesome couple. My husband drove that old truck so he could get a break from the crazy hours this man worked to support his family. Our condolences and thoughts go out to the family at this trying time. Murray and Faye Dalrymple
My condolences and heart felt sympathy at your loss I worked with Arnie from time to time when I worked for Doug Copley he was a real nice guy the real deal of a human being I met his wife at the Associated Truckers Supply Christmas party twice she was Arnie’s gem and as equally a beautiful asset to the world we all live in. I am so sorry that this tragedy has happened to the family the friends and those that knew this great couple. I would have responded sooner but just found out from Doug yesterday again my Condolences