Dykstra, Valerie (Mrs. Perry) 1957-2024

DYKSTRA, VANDERWEIDE, WICHERS

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/18/2024 at 19:10:34

Mrs. Valerie Dykstra, age 66, of Maurice, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Tuesday, April 9, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Maurice Reformed Church in Maurice. There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, at 10:30am, at the church with Mr. Justin Schrock officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.

On August 24, Valerie Faye was born to Russell and Geneva (Vander Weide) Wichers. She was raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Maurice-Orange City High School. After graduation, she vowed to travel the world and never marry a dairy farmer.

She attended Reformed Bible College in Michigan to pursue nursing in the mission field. But within the first year Val went home to marry the love of her life, a dairy farmer.

She married Perry Allen Dykstra on July 8, 1976. They began their adventurous life on his acreage near Le Mars, raising six beautiful children. Val helped with the dairy, waitressed and later found a love for coaching gymnastics working at Siouxland Gymnastics.

One day through a bible study, Val developed an idea that turned into the Superstar Tumblebus, a mobile gymnastics program for preschoolers which to this day operates in two cities, reaching hundreds of children each year.

Family was important to Val. Her favorite times with Perry included trips to the ocean and country line dancing in Arizona. She loved boating, camping, and skiing with all the family. She was still waterskiing at the age of 65!

Val deeply cherished summers having “granny camp” with her grandchildren, riding four-wheelers, working in the garden, having campfires, fishing, riding horses, baking, making crafts, swimming, etc. They would also attend Rise Fest together every summer. She loved to jam out with them to Christian music. Whether in the car or at concerts, worship was her warfare!

In 2018 Val and her daughter, Alisha, fulfilled a dream to start their own gym, V.I.P. Gymnastics, where Val made a tremendous impact on many lives.

In 2023 Perry and Val made the difficult decision to sell their lifelong acreage and move to Maurice, closer to their loving church family. Val was an active member of the church, serving and speaking as opportunities arose. She was also a part of Bible Study Fellowship. She loved God’s Word!

Val carried her contagious smile right up to the end. She impacted hundreds of lives as a vessel for Jesus, leaving a powerful legacy behind. We are forever grateful to have known her.

Survivors include her husband of more than 47 years, Perry; six children, Shawn (Layne) Smith, Jason (Geron) Esparza-Dykstra; Rachel (Nick) Stroh, Jeremy (Danielle) Dykstra, Tiffany (Luke) Hartman; Alisha Dykstra; twelve grandchildren, Amy (Tyler) Larson, Carly Smith, Tayton, Zayden, Jayaunna and Bryton Stroh, Kasiah, Dyson and Adalie Dykstra, Chayce, Tyson and Alerie Hartman; one great-grandchild, Kennedy Larson; nine siblings, Barb Lucht, Roger Wichers, Pam Stienstra, Teresa Kurth, Gary Wichers, Marji Wichers, Patty Wichers, Daniel Wichers and Russell Wichers Jr.; a sister-in-law, Marvella and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, Valerie requested memorials go to help support her grandchildren's future missions trips.

Matthew 5:14 was one of her favorite scriptures.

Below is the information if you'd like to contribute to the Valerie Dykstra memorial fund:

VENMO: @valerie-dykstra-strong

Checks payable to: Perry Dykstra

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.