Byker, Gerrit 1928-2020

BYKER, HOOYER, DEYAGER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Gerrit Byker, age 91, of Sioux Center, IA died Sunday, May 17, 2020 at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center, IA.

There will be a private family service held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.

Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden, IA at 12:15 PM. The committal will be open to the public, but we will be observing social distancing.

There will be visiting time for public to pay their respects at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Family will not be present during the visitation times and we will be following the 10 person limit.

The Gerrit Byker service will be livestreamed Wednesday morning at 10:30 on the Bethel Christian Reformed Church website: Bethelsc.org

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Sioux Center and/or Ireton Christian Schools.

Gerrit Byker was born and raised on a farm north of Ireton, Iowa, to Sam and Marie (Hooyer) Byker on December 18, 1928. He attended country school near Ireton. He married Tracy De Yager on August 30, 1950, in Hawarden, Iowa after which they farmed near Hawarden 30 years before moving into Hawarden where they resided another 30 years. In 2011, they moved to Crown Pointe Independent Living Center in Sioux Center, Iowa. Gerrit and Tracy were members of Hawarden Christian Reformed Church and later joined Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.

Gerrit was active in church work as an elder and a deacon. He served as a board member of Sioux Center/Ireton Coop Gas & Oil for 12 years; he also was a member of the Hawarden Kiwanis Club; and served a term as President of the Ireton Christian School. He thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Hope Haven for approximately 10 years in which he assisted in assembling wheelchairs. He loved working on the farm where he spent most of his time until his health no longer allowed. He had a great love of music and shared his gift in playing several musical instruments by ear at various local nursing homes. He and Tracy spent time traveling to many states where they attended music concerts as well as volunteering at many ‘Justice for All’ projects.

Cherishing Gerrit’s memory include his wife, Tracy of almost 70 years, their four children and spouses, many grandchildren and great grandchildren including:

Sylvan and Carol (Calsbeek) Byker of Sioux Center

Kyle and Tricia (Hessing) Byker and children: Hailey, Levi and Hudson

Joni Byker

Devin Byker

Alison and Todd Hofman

Irene and Bill Schuiteman of Sioux Center

Erica and Brandon Kamerman and children: Blake, Lane and Kinley

Jackson and Marcie (Huff) Schuiteman and children: Grace, Emma, Charlie and Mia

Glenda and Brent Vaas of Hull

Ethan and Leslie (Urbain) Vaas and children: Benjamin and Emily

Anna and Justin Beukelman and children: Kennedy and Mason

Arlin and Laura (Schuiteman) Byker of Sioux Center

Keith and Brooke (Sandbulte) Byker and children: Vada and Reed

Brice and Alesha (Provost) Byker and children: Finley and Griffin

Quinn Byker

Also cherishing Gerrit’s memory are sisters-in-law, Nelma Byker and Marlene De Yager; and brother-in-law, Junior and Ann De Yager.

Several grandchildren welcoming Grandpa at Heaven’s door include, Kendra Le (twin daughter) of Bill and Irene Schuiteman; Lance Davis, Larae Nicole, and Ray Cordell (stillborn children) of Arlin and Laura Byker.

Also preceding Gerrit in death are his parents, Sam and Marie Byker; infant daughter; brother, Marion Byker; brother and sister-in-law, Gilbert and Lois Byker; parents-in-law, Sam and Ida De Yager as well as other members of the De Yager family: Gerrit and Dena De Yager, Albert and Minnie De Yager, Bill De Yager and Irene De Yager.

Source: Memorial Funeral Home online obituary.