Florence E. Dykstra

IN CELEBRATION OF LIFE
FLORENCE E. DYKSTRA

BORN
March 23, 1918
Orange City, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
September 24, 2005
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
Bethel Reformed Church, Sheldon, Iowa
Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 10:30 A.M.
Family Devotions in the church at 10:15 A.M.
Rev. David Loveall ~ officiating
Visitation
Wednesday; September 28, 2005 after 4:00 PM
with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home - Sheldon

MUSIC
“Amazing Grace”
Vocalists: Gene and Amy Bomgaars
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
“Now Thank We All Our God”
After Benediction: “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”
Organist: Norma Snyder Jones

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Kristin and Marc Bos Jennifer and Wayne Mink
Patty and Kent Nieuwendorp
CASKET BEARERS
James Dykstra Mark Dykstra
Jim Den Hartog Dennis Ten Clay
Don Damstra Derwin Van Drie

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to:
the Northwest Iowa Home Health and Hospice,
Sheldon Community Ambulance Team
or Bethel Reformed Church.

After the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon, Iowa

Memorial Tribute
FLORENCE E. DYKSTRA

Florence was born on March 23, 1918, on a farm south of Orange City; the eldest of nine children to James and Dena Geurink Den Hartog. The family moved to a farm east of Sheldon and Florence attended Carroll #1 School. Upon completing eighth grade, Florence worked for several local families and at a grocery store in Sheldon until December 5, 1940, when she was united in marriage to Gerritt Dykstra. They lived on a farm south of Sheldon until 1947, when they moved to a farm west of Ashton. In addition to caring for her family, Florence was active in all aspects of farm life from raising livestock to harvesting. In 1984, they retired and moved to Sheldon. Gerritt died on May 29, 1995. Florence became a resident of the Northwest Iowa Health Center – Senior Care on November 2, 2004, where she died on September 24, 2005, reaching the age of 87 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Among the things Florence enjoyed were gardening, baking, reading, quilting, and most recently, crocheting afghans and baby blankets. She was a member of Bethel Reformed Church. Florence was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She found true joy in giving and saw only goodness in others which added a special richness to the lives of everyone who knew her.
Florence leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Gerald and Jari Dykstra of Bartlett, TN; Janice Dykstra of Waterloo, IA; Clarice and Dennis McConaughay of Matthews, NC; Alan Dykstra of Huntsville, AL; and Marcia and Steve Rempell of Novato, CA; her grandchildren, Kristin and Marc Bos of Gurnee, IL; Jennifer and Wayne Mink of Cordova, TN; James Dykstra of Novato, CA; and a great-grandson, Walter Mink. Also brothers and sisters, Marian Haack, Robert and Berdie Den Hartog, Ruth and Charles Ten Clay, Edna Dykstra, Gene and Henrietta Den Hartog, and Elmer and Joyce Den Hartog all of Sheldon; Arlene and Jim Ver Mulm of Sanborn, IA; sisters-in-law, Alice Den Hartog of Sheldon, IA; Margaret Dykstra of Madison, WI; brother-in-law, Clarence Dykstra of Sheldon, IA; devoted friend, MarLene Van Drie; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother, Willard Den Hartog; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gertrude Dykstra, Clarence Haack, Maynard Dykstra, Bill and Tillie Ten Clay and Dick and Jennie Ten Clay.