Melba L. Dykstra

Sibley, Iowa Melba L. Dykstra, age 85 formerly of Sibley, IA died Thursday, January 17, 2008 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, with Rev. Scott Meyer officiating. Burial will take place following the service in the Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, from 2pm " 5pm at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Melba Leola Dykstra was born September 3, 1922 in Audubon, IA to Max and Adeline Jurgens. The family later moved to Sibley, IA where Melba attended school and graduated in 1940. Melba was united in marriage to Henry W. Dykstra Jr. on April 25, 1945 in Sibley. They were blessed with two children. They lived in Sibley until 1998 when they moved to Luverne, MN to be closer to their daughter. Melba was a bookkeeper for various stores in town, as well as the City of Sibley, and the Sibley Gazette. She was a long time member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was active in the womens groups, taught Sunday School and was the choir director for many years. Melba had a beautiful voice and sang solos at many weddings and funerals at Trinity Lutheran. Melba participated in all of the activities at the Veterans Home. She especially enjoyed the Adopt-a-Grandchild program. She also went to the elementary school to read with second graders in the Bookin Buddy program. Melba enjoyed spending time sewing and knitting when she was still able. Melba and Hank enjoyed going camping in their motor home and spending time at their daughter and son-in-laws cabin at Lake Benton, MN. They enjoyed many trips to Colorado Springs to visit their sons family and spoil their grandchildren when they were small. Grateful for having shared her life are a daughter, Carol (Charlie) Goehle of Luverne, MN; a son, Ed Dykstra of Sioux Falls, SD; her grandchildren, Matt (Tonya) Dykstra of Omaha, NE, Libby (Roy) Holshue of Colorado Sprins, CO and Rebecca (Darin) DeBoer of Luverne, MN. Five great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Ethel Jurgens, Darlene Dykstra, and Siene Dykstra; brother-in-law, Bill Dykstra, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hank; and her brother, Verdus Jurgens.