John William "Bill" Van Dyke

Rock Rapids, Iowa John William Bill Van Dyke, age 86 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 at Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Marcia Sangel officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. John William Bill Van Dyke was born October 17, 1926 in Lyon County Iowa to Al and Jennie (Klein) Van Dyke. He was born in Rock Rapids and was a lifelong resident of Lyon County. On March 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Gertrude Ann Van Gelder at Johns parents house in Rock Rapids. Bill and Gertrude farmed together for the next fifty years. For the first ten years they farmed north of Rock Rapids and the next forty years they farmed east and south of Rock Rapids. Bill was a true farmer at heart. Even after he retired from actively farming in 2004 at the age of 79, he still involved himself as much as possible and kept up to date with farm life by visiting with friends. Bill was a lifelong resident of Rock Rapids and he loved his community and the people. He touched the lives and character of young people by having them work on the family farm. He loved racing. For quite a few years he was an owner and mechanic of stock cars that raced on our local circuit. Bill was also a great Central Lyon booster. He enjoyed staying up with all the Lyon county sports, especially football. This past Monday morning Bill passed away at the Rock Rapids Health Centre at the age of 86. He will be greatly missed. Bill is survived by his daughters, Sandra (Dan) Miller of El Cajon, CA and Marlys (Ray) Lancaster of Henderson, NV; grandsons, Jesse Van Dyke of Larchwood, IA and Eric Marquardt of West Des Moines, IA; sisters, Gertie Bouwman of Rock Rapids, IA and Jeanette Kix of Sibley, IA; nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gert Van Dyke; brothers, Herman Van Dyke and Garrit Van Dyke.