Oolman Funeral Home, Orange City, Iowa
Mr. Guy Dykstra, age 89, of Hospers, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, at the Orange City Municipal Hospital. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, May 14, at 11:00am, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hospers. Interment in the Hospers Cemetery.
Guy, was born on January 26, 1916, at Tracy, Minnesota, the son of John and Maggie (Pluim) Dykstra. When he was still a young child, the family relocated to Orange City, where Guy was raised and attended the public school. From March of 1941 to July of 1945, Guy served in the United States Army. As a U.S. Army Ranger, he served in the Pacific Theater, earning several awards, including three bronze stars.
On August 14, 1945, Guy married Mary Jane Brandsma at Orange City. The couple farmed east of Hospers until the fall of 1947, when they moved into town. Guy then worked as a carpenter, and in 1952, again tried his hand at farming. In 1956, Guy and Mary returned to Hospers where Guy began working as a plumber with Zwagerman Hardware and Banner Beef. He retired at age 65.
Mr. Dykstra was affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Reuter American Legion Post 423 in Hospers. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren, and liked to keep busy with woodworking, fishing, and reading his bible daily. His family will remember him as a great leader and example.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary; three children; Dan, Jon, and Jeanne; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three sisters, Lena, Hendrina, Emma; and his step-father, George De Kruif.
HOSPERS - Mrs. Mary Jane Dykstra, age 101, of Sheldon, formerly of Hospers, passed away
on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, at the Sanford Health Sheldon Care Center.
There will be a funeral service 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the First Presbyterian Church
in Hospers.
The Rev. Milton Sikkema will officiate.
Interment will follow the service at the Hospers Cemetery near Hospers.
Visitation without the family will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Oolman Funeral
Home in Hospers.
Mary Jane was born on a farm northeast of Sibley on April 1, 1919. She was the sixth of 10 children born to Robert and Jesse (Bergsma) Brandsma. As a toddler, the family returned to Chicago, where Mary received her education. On a visit to Iowa before World War II, she met who was to be her life’s mate, Guy Dykstra. During the four and one-half years Guy was in the South Pacific, she returned to Chicago and worked for International Harvester assembling bomb fuses for the national defense.
Upon his discharge from the Army, they were married on Aug. 14, 1945, in Orange City, in the home of the mother of her pastor from Chicago. This union continued for the next 59˝ years. They made their home in Hospers and were blessed with three children, Dannie J., Jon Robert, and Jeanne Kay. Guy passed away on May 10, 2005, in Orange City.
Mary Jane was a stay-at-home mom while her children were in school. There was always a snack of Kool-Aid and cookies when they returned home, usually in the company of friends who knew where the treats were. She was always busy with her family first, her beloved Presbyterian Church and various community activities. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years and perennial Poppy Chair. She had the heart of a servant and served the Lord in every way she could, including 13 years as a nurse’s aide at the Sheldon Community Hospital. She was also known for inviting friends and strangers in for coffee. It was not unusual to come home to the sound of laughter, especially when she and Rosemary Van Donslear were giving each other a permanent. She loved to play games and she always played to win. The grandchildren soon knew that Grandma was not about to throw a game for their sake. Scrabble was her favorite, however, when challenged about a word she always responded, "It’s in Rosemary’s Scrabble dictionary," which, of course, was never available.
Those left with cherished memories are her children and their families, Dan and Fran Dykstra, Thad (Danielle), Rachel (Adam Boon), and Luke (Julie); Jon and Helen Dykstra, Ryan, and Ric (Lacey); Jeanne and Orville Van Roekel, Jessica, Lori (Austin Budden), and Brad; 12 great-grandchildren; Addison and Carlin Boon; Ayden and Chayley Dykstra; Olivia, Ashton, and Delanie Budden; Katelyn Dykstra; Alexis Dykstra; and Jacquelyn, Bethany and Annabel Dykstra; and twin girls due in March of 2021 to Ric and Lacey; two brothers, Russel (Carol) Brandsma of Kansas City and LeRoy Brandsma of Oro Valley, Arizona; and a sister-in-law, Marge Brandsma of Phoenix, Arizona.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, John L. and Maggie (Pluim) Dykstra; two sisters; and five brothers.
Oolman Funeral Home