John M. Dykstra

John Dykstra, age 86 of Sheldon, Iowa died Monday, August 26, 2024 at Prairie View Manor in Sanborn, Iowa.  

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Hospers Presbyterian Church with Pastor Brian Janssen, officiating.  Burial will take place prior to the service at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 28th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Food Pantry or the Gospel Mission of Sioux City.

John Merlyn Dykstra was born to Mella and Dorthy (Greenfield) Dykstra at their farmhouse home in Sibley, Ia. He graduated from Western Christian High School in May, 1956. 

He worked for Northwestern Bell as a line man. He worked his way up to a management position until he retired in 1982. After that, he started at Schoon Construction bidding projects for under ground fiber optic cable. 

He married Alice (Oldenkamp) on November 30, 1962. They found their home in Sheldon, Ia. Where they raised their 3 children Michael and Sandy (Talsma), Kansas City, MO; Roxie and John DeVos, Harrisburg, SD; and Sue and Preston Kooima, Sioux Falls, SD. 

They have 10 grandchildren: Libby and Ryan Kiesel, John and Katie Dykstra, Hannah and Andrew Kothmann, Michaela and David Lozoya, Cassie and Zach Vesper; Jakob DeVos and Nya Henderson and Emma DeVos; Colton and Jordyn Kooima, Rylie Kooima, and Tatum and Cole Hogue. Along with 12 great grandchildren. 

Preceded in death by his parents, Mella and Dorthy, siblings: Dorthy Mae, Dick, Irma Beekman, and two brother in-laws. As well as his In-laws, Bernard and Charlotte Oldenkamp and Chuck Oldenkamp. 

John is survived by his siblings and their spouses: Marilyn Zevenbergen, Bill and Helene Dykstra, Jan and John Juffer and Dick and Marcia Oldenkamp

John’s only comfort in life and death was that he was not his own but belonged body and soul, in life and in death to his faithful Savior Jesus Christ.