Dykstra, Gerrit 1917-2011

DYKSTRA, VUGTEVEEN, FRANKEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 3/4/2011 at 02:44:45

Dykstra, Gerrit
Home Town: Rock Valley, IA
Deceased Date: Mon., Feb. 21, 2011
Service: Fri., Feb. 25, 2011
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Address: Porter Funeral Home
1704 15th St.
Rock Valley, IA 51247

Obituary: Rock Valley, IA: Gerrit Dykstra, 93, died Monday February 21, 2011 at Whispering Heights, Rock Valley. Memorial Service will be 10:30 am Friday at Porter Funeral Home, Rock Valley. Burial will be prior at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday with family present 6:30-8 pm at Porter Funeral Home.
Gerrit Henry Dykstra was born September 1, 1917 on the homestead near Inwood, son of John and Ziena (Vugteveen) Dykstra. He served in the Army Airforce during WW II. Gerrit married Helena Franken on March 19, 1946 at Inwood. Together they farmed SE of Inwood and later NW of Rock Valley until retiring to Rock Valley in 1982. Gerrit enjoyed tending to the garden and lawn chores, and playing cards with his friends. Helena died September 12, 2005. Gerrit moved to Whispering Heights May 3, 2010. Gerrit was an avid Vikings Fan. He and his family made many trips to the dome in Minneapolis. He also loved baseball and especially the Twins. In his younger years he and his two brothers played on the country team. They would play in pasture against the town team. Sports were a big part of his life and he spent many hours watching them on television. He always would share his coaching opinion.
Suvivors are his daughters, Glenda (Larry) Warner of Larchwood, IA, Karla (Fred) Van Kley of Rock Valley; sons, Kevin Dykstra of Rock Valley, Curt (Julie) Dykstra of Yankton, SD; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Margaret Franken, Irene Franken both of Sioux Falls, Jennie Van Egdom of Hawarden, IA; brother-in-law, Bernie (Judy) Franken of Sioux Center, IA.
Gerrit was preceded in death by his wife, Helena; brothers, Ted Dykstra and Clarence Dykstra.
Source: Porter funeral Home, Rock Valley, IA, obit.