Dr. C. F. "Doc" Dykstra

Rock Rapids, IA Dr. C. F. "Doc" Dykstra age 94 of Mesa AZ, formerly of Rock Rapids IA, died Friday, December 10, 2010 in Mesa, AZ. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2010 at the First Reformed Church is Rock Rapids with Rev. Dan Haggar and Rev. Katie Van Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 16th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. In lieu of flowers, family wishes memorials be directed toward First Reformed Church 512 S Union St. Rock Rapids, IA 51246 Dr. C. F. Dykstra was born September 3, 1916, at Hills, MN the son of Frank and Kathryn (Feikema) Dykstra. He graduated from Larchwood High School, Northwestern College in Orange City, and Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, IA. He taught country school for two years. He then attended Iowa State University, graduating with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. After Doc graduated he served his country in the United States military as a Captain in the Army during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge, Doc returned home to Rock Rapids where he practiced veterinary medicine in the surrounding states of IA, MN & SD from 1943 until he retired in 1982. He married Berniece DeJongh on September 17, 1942 in Rock Rapids where they raised their family. His hobbies included golf, fishing, hunting and woodworking. Doc and his brother-in-law, Ed DeJongh built the wooden light fixtures that hung in the sanctuary of the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. They also donated the stained glass window on the south wall of the old narthex depicting the original white church on Union Street. Doc also enjoyed family vacations, lawn work and playing cards. Doc was a loving father and grandfather. He always looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the First Reformed Church, American Legion in Rock Rapids and a member of the Iowa Veterinary Association. This past Friday, December 10, 2010, Doc died peacefully at Emerald Grove Assisted Living in Mesa, AZ at the age of 94. He is survived by his sisters Lucille Kosters, Lorrie Verkade, Kathryn Lindhout and LaVonne Kloet; sons Ron Dykstra of Sioux Falls, SD and Dennis and wife Penny Dykstra of Keller, TX; 5 grandchildren Damon Dykstra, Heath Dykstra, Heidi Kormann, Ryan Dykstra, and Heather Joralemon; 7 great-grandchildren: Reya Dykstra, Alyssaa Dykstra, Mackenzie Kormann, Kaylia Dykstra, Dylan Dykstra, Ella Rae Joralemon, and Bailey Dykstra. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Berniece, brother Floyd, and sisters Mathilda and Jeanette.