Kathleen Jongedyk

Kathleen Elizabeth Jongedyk, age 94, of Parkersburg, Iowa was born the daughter of John Ernest and Helen Lucille (Strickland) Behnke on May 26, 1927, in Waterloo, Iowa. She graduated from the Parkersburg High School and went to further her education by graduating from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.
On July 3, 1955, Kathleen was united in marriage with Howard Albert Jongedyk in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time Kathleen worked for the V.A Hospital while also earning her Master’s Degree in Zoology. The couple then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked for V.A hospital before accepting a position at the Food and Drug Administration in Maryland, where they raised their daughter Holly. After 30 years, she retired to take care of her husband. Later on Kathleen and Howard moved back to her family home in Parkersburg, in order to be closer to her daughter and the rest of her family.
In her spare time, she enjoyed going to the pool after work, taking care of her flowers and fruit trees, going to the nursery on the weekends to look at the many flowers and plants. Most of all Kathleen loved being with her family. Kathleen beat Breast Cancer twice and will be known for her incredible strength and courage.
Kathleen died Friday, February 11, 2022, at her home in Parkersburg, of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Jongedyk; her parents; and one brother, John Behnke.
Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Holly Jongedyk (Monjour Haque) of Parkersburg, Iowa; and two grandchildren, Mary Khan and John Haque.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Parkersburg United Methodist Church in Parkersburg. Pastor Chan Kim officiated the service. Organist was Mary Ann Simon and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “In The Garden”. Burial was held at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg with Rex Iehl and Donald Boggess serving as Casketbearers.
Visitation was held one hour before services at the church. Memorials may be directed to Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness. Redman Funeral & Cremation Services in Parkersburg was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com