ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Northwestern College and MOC-Floyd Valley High School joined together on Saturday afternoon to dedicate a plaque commemorating the life and memory of Aden De Jong.
An education major at Northwestern, Aden was an active member of the Northwestern and Orange City community playing and helping coach baseball for Northwestern and for the local middle school youth baseball organization. De Jong passed away unexpectedly on February 3, 2025, at the age of 22.
Northwestern College athletic director Tony Hoops opened the dedication ceremony………….
Northwestern President Greg Christy said this is a tangible way to honor Aden’s life and his legacy……….
MOC-FV Athletic Director Mitch Aalbers said the plaque recognizes Aden in a small way……….
Northwestern baseball coach Brian Wede described Aden as heaven on earth…………
Wede says they will always remember Aden……..
The plaque, in the shape of home plate, includes 1 Timothy 4:12 and John 3:30 in Aden’s handwriting alongside his portrait. Donated by the Northwestern baseball parents, the plaque is installed on the southwest side of the concessions stand in the baseball/softball complex.
