Dykstra, William Richard 1911-2001

DYKSTRA, TENKLEY, TENHARMSEL, KROMMENDYK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 4/2/2013 at 19:54:52

Source: North West Iowa Review Sheldon (6-23-2001)

Richard William Dykstra, 90, Hull, died Tuesday, June 19 at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull. Services were Friday Jun 22, at Oolman Funeral Home in Hull, with the Rev. Carl Klompien officiating. Burial was at Hope Cemetery in Hull, under the direction of Oolman Funeral Home.
Richard Dykstra, son of William and Bertha (Ten Kley) Dykstra, was born May 11, 1911 in Orange City. He was raised in Perkins, where he graduated from the Christian school. He also attended Western Christian High School in Hull. As a young adult, he worked on the Great Northern Railroad and drove a peddle wagon and gravel trick. He married Anna Ten Harmsel on Sep 19, 1934 in Hull. They moved in 1936 to Hull, where he was custodian at Western Christian High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the combat engineers, which built bridges ahead of front line troops. After being wounded, he was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon returning home he worked in Construction, building or remodeling many homes and churches. He specialized in cabinetry and doors. He and his wife became the first resident of Homestead in Hull in 1995. Recently they transferred to Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.

He was a longtime member of First Christian Reformed Church in Hull and a member of the Disabled Veterans of America. He enjoyed woodworking, making many small crafts, such as miniature cars. He also liked to camp, fish and hunt small games. They spent many summers at Okoboji and wintered in Texas several years.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Dykstra of Hull; a son, Wes and Diana Dykstra of Hull; and a sister-in-law, Trina Dykstra of Sioux Center.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Dykstra; and a sister and her husband, Della and Fred Krommendyk.