Gary D. Kreykes, 74, of Ames, died at Greenhills Health Center in Ames, on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Ames with a visitation one hour prior to the service.
Gary was born February 16, 1936 in Hospers, Iowa, to Dick and Winifred (Mouw) Kreykes. Gary served in the US Army from 1956 - 1958. He married Myrna Schalekamp on July 1, 1960 in Orange City.
Gary graduated from Sioux Center High School, Northwestern Junior College, Westmar College, and Colorado State College finishing with a master's degree in Physical Education. Gary's basketball coaching career took him to South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana, and back to Iowa. He coached at Muscatine Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College, and ended his career at Westmar College in LeMars, retiring to Okoboji in 2001.
Gary was always an active man. He was physically active, spending years jogging, running 10ks, and encouraging others to be active. Golfing, boating and officiating high school football games also brought him much joy. He was civically active, serving on two different school boards, the Muscatine YMCA Board, the LeMars Parks Board, the Okoboji United Methodist Church Camp Board, and his homeowners association. He was also active in his church, serving in various leadership positions.
He is survived by his wife, Myrna Kreykes, of Ames; two daughters, Jennifer (Julius) Weyman of Birmingham, Alabama, Audra (Brian) Duster, of Ames, grandchildren, Ben, Emily, Yetta, and Charles of Ames, Dirk and Rebekah, of Birmingham, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Dirk Jay Kreykes; three sisters, Madge Vander Woude, Frances Van Beek, and Vera Te Paske.
Condolences may be left online at [...] Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Adams Funeral Home
Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home
Myrna R. Kreykes was born to Bill and Grace (Reinders) Schalekamp on April 10, 1938 in Orange City, Iowa. She graduated from Orange City High School in 1956 and went on to get her undergraduate degree in English Education from Hope College in 1960.
Myrna married Gary Kreykes on July 1, 1960. She spent several years teaching high school English in Jefferson, S.D., Little Rock, Iowa, and Boyden/Hull, Iowa. Her next several years were spent at home raising their two daughters. Gary’s various coaching jobs then took her to Richland Center, Wisc., Bozeman, Mont., and Muscatine, Iowa.
While living in Muscatine, she went back to school at the University of Iowa and completed her Master’s Degree in Library Sciences. She worked in libraries in Muscatine, Terrill, (while living in Estherville), and Westmar College in LeMars. She ended her career as the LeMars Community Jr. High School librarian, where she was awarded "Teacher of the Year" before retiring in 2001.
Her love of books and reading was evident throughout her life. She loved to be a part of book clubs, and also served on the board of the LeMars Public Library. In her retirement, she volunteered to translate books into braille for the Iowa Department for the Blind. She also volunteered at several church youth programs in LeMars, Spirit Lake, and Ames, as well as assisting with the English as a second language program at her church in LeMars.
Myrna and Gary retired to Okoboji in 2001, were they enjoyed many years of fun times with family and friends, and eventually settled in Ames in 2008. Her greatest joys were spending time with loved ones and discussing books and politics.
Myrna is survived by her two daughters, Jennifer (Julius) and Audra (Brian); her grandchildren, Dirk, Rebekah, Ben, Emily, Yetta and Charles; along with many other extended family members who were also always very near to her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, Dirk Jay Kreykes; her husband, Gary Kreykes; and her sister, Mary VanMarel.
Rites Held Monday For Kreykes Infant
Graveside funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Orange City cemetery for Dirk Jay, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Dick Kreykes of Hull.
Rev. Harold Ringenoldus, pastor of the American Reformed church of Hull, officiated, and arrangements were under the direction of the Kraai Funeral home of Hull.
Dirk Jay, who was the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Kreykes, was born Saturday afternoon at the Sheldon hospital.
He became ill and was rushed to the St. Joseph hospital at Sioux City, where he passed away early Monday morning.
The mother is the former Myrna Schalekamp of Orange City and surviving besides the parents are the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Kreykes o£ Sioux Center and Mr. and Mrs. William Schalekamp of Orange City.
Sioux Center News 1964-05-21.