The Deja Family Foundation

Every child needs someone who will say, "Let's go have an adventure..."

The Deja Family Foundation was established to provide community assistance and scholarships, in memory of the Deja Family and their multiple generations dedicated to changing lives in our community.

Robert F. Deja – Bob was born on January 4, 1933, in Chicago, and passed away June 28, 2022. Always a cowboy, Bob loved singing and was seldom without his guitar. He and his horse, Copper, won the State of Illinois Western Horsemanship Finals in 1955 and, later in the 1990’s he was the winner of a quick draw competition. He loved his career as an auto repair mechanic and owned three service stations prior to his retirement in 1985. No adventure was too big or too small. He enjoyed motorcycling, snowmobiling, boating and motorhome escapades, always with family and often with friends in tow. Without fail, Bob had a smile on his face along with a kind word and always a joke to share. He was active in his community in Illinois and Florida, serving as Commodore of the High Tide Yacht Club and President of the Men’s Club at Nettles Island. He was a member of the Men’s Chorus and a treasured volunteer at the Hibiscus Children’s Center in Florida.

Bob and Barb were united in marriage on December 17th, 1955, for sixty-two years of love and adventures until her passing in 2018.

Barbara L. Deja – Barb was born on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1934, in Chicago and passed away August 17, 2018. She grew up on Pratt Avenue, right on Lake Michigan. She often spoke about how much she loved to spend her time at the beach and swimming in the lake. She adored horses and spent a lot of time at the stables where she boarded her horse. There she made several lifelong friends and is where she met Bob. Barb loved to entertain and spend time with friends. Because of her, the party always seemed to be at the Deja house. Camping, snowmobiling and boating were among several activities she enjoyed. You could often find her picking up seashells or fishing from her pier. Barb made every holiday and birthday a big deal and was a huge advocate for family dinners. She was our family’s biggest cheerleader from the school play to the tournament basketball game. Barb was also so dignified and well put together. She came from the generation of ladies that only wore dresses and high-heeled shoes downtown, everything was an event - even flying on an airplane. She lived that way in everything she did.

Bob and Barbara have 3 daughters, 9 grandchildren (who are active volunteers and philanthropists) and as of 2023, 4 great grandchildren. 

Meta E. Deja – May was born December 13, 1912, and passed away November 1, 1993. She is the matriarch of the Deja Family. May lost 2 children when they were very young, one to "crib death" (SIDS) and another to Leukemia when he was only 2 years old. After their deaths, she became a single mother and went on to raise her two other boys who were the light of her life. Employed by Zenith on their assembly line, she worked her way to becoming the Union Steward in a time when achieving that position was unheard of for a woman. She retired from Zenith with gratitude after over 40 years of service. May additionally worked in the evenings at the local German bakery and weekends performing traditional German dance to provide for her sons and to maintain the family home in Chicago, from which she took much pride. Later in life she met and spent more than 50 years with her lifelong soul mate Walter "Slim" Nelson. Slim affectionally referred to her as "toots". The couple always provided assistance to those in need, even when they may have been in need themselves. May was a devout Lutheran and was always committed to the work and philanthropy of her local church. At her funeral, the pastor recalled a letter that he received from Meta, "Dear pastor, On my way to the service last Sunday I was robbed and lost my purse, which included my church donation. Enclosed find my weekly donation and please pray for the man who robbed me, as he must be in greater need than myself."

Meta has 2 sons (and 2 sons preceding her in death), 5 granchildren, 12 great grandchildren and as of 2023, 4 great-great grandchildren.