Our Staff

Craig Kleinheksel

Funeral Director
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Abraham Lincoln said, “I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.” As a fourth-generation funeral director, Craig learned from an early age to work hard and to take care of the families you serve. His father, Victor Kleinheksel, worked into his 80’s and his grandfather, Julius, came in to work every day well into his 90’s. This philosophy has served them well for over 119 years in the funeral business.

Holland Public Schools, Ferris State University and Wayne State University prepared Craig well for the challenge of funeral service. Along with his wife Dar, they have continued the tradition of a family served funeral home. They have 3 children, Cari and Brendan, Katie, and Cort and Maggie along with six grandchildren, Jack, Annie, Lucy, Hattie, Tripp and Pete.

Craig is a life member (and third generation) of First Reformed Church where he has served as both Deacon and Elder. He has served on various committees, volunteered for Kid’s Hope, as well as past president of the Michigan Funeral Directors District #4. Music is also a big part of Craig’s life, playing percussion in various music organizations in the Holland and Grand Rapids area. First and foremost in Craig’s life is faith, family and friends.





Dan Vredeveld

Funeral Director
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Dan grew up in Zeeland and is the son of Norm and Bonnie Vredeveld. Dan knew in 9th grade that he wanted to be a funeral director. Dan graduated from Zeeland High School in 1981. He went right from high school to Grand Rapids Junior College (1983) for his pre-mortuary science courses and then to Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science (1984). He served his apprenticeship in Detroit and Grand Rapids. Dan joined the Dykstra Funeral Home staff, September 1, 1985. Dan has two children, a son Kuri, who works for Festida Foods in Grand Rapids and a daughter Kaci, who graduated from Zeeland East High School and currently is at Lake Michigan College. Dan is member of Faith Reformed Church in Zeeland and a former member of Trinity Reformed Church in Holland. Family, community, church, and organization, Dan takes great pride in each. When it comes to funeral service, though, he's all about helping people.





Dave Vander Heide

Funeral Director
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Dave grew up in Jenison, Mi and graduated from Unity Christian High School in 1977. Dave met his wife Sue, and in 1980 they married and moved to Holland where she had grown up. Dave has a love of serving others and was drawn to the funeral business. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2005 and began serving the community as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. In 2010, Dave joined the family at Dykstra Funeral Home. Dave and Sue have 3 children; daughters Nicole (Will) Lamain, Lizzy (Aaron) Andrews and son, Josh (Jaimi) Vander Heide. They have 9 grandchildren; Kaylee, Farrah, Emersyn, Olivia, Scarlett, Charli, Chloe, Tessa and Jack. Dave and Sue are members of Family Church in Zeeland.





Orlando Peña

Funeral Director
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Orlando was born and raised in Holland, Michigan. He’s proud to continue living and serving in this community as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He is a graduate of the renowned Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. One can describe him as being a compassionate, respectful individual who truly cares about people and their families. He is committed to upholding the Dykstra traditions of providing professional service and distinctive care. Orlando met his wife Danae in 2004 and they have been married since 2009. They live in the Historic District in Holland along with their sweet daughter, Brinley, as well as, a German Shepherd dog and two cats. Free time will find Orlando and the family doing countless activities outdoors. They also attend church in the Holland area.





Cort Kleinheksel

Funeral Arranger
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Cort Kleinheksel is no stranger to the funeral business. Growing up, he watched his great grandfather Julius, his grandfather, Victor and his father, Craig, meet with families and hold themselves to high standards. He also knew as family, you pitched in as needed whether it was washing cars or doing yard work! Cort watched his peers and learned early on the importance of connecting with families.

In high school, he worked at Clearbrook Golf Club and Restaurant as a server and held that job until his graduation from Haworth School of Business at Western Michigan University. After graduation, Cort married his girlfriend, Maggie and moved to Nashville, TN. While Cort entered the work force, he also helped Maggie run her store, Tweed Baby Outfitters. Together, they ran a very successful business and welcomed their first child, Annie. When they found out they were expecting again, the decision was made to move back to Holland and continue the family legacy of Dykstra Funeral Home. Upon their return, they welcomed their second daughter, Hattie, and in 2017, rounding out the family was a son, Pete!

Cort and Maggie love west Michigan and are proud to call Holland their home. Corts love of golf and water fit perfectly here. They attend Pillar Church where he occasionally plays guitar. But most importantly, his love of family, being part of the community and pride of continuing the legacy of a family business that started over 100 years ago.





Ken Beukelman

Business Manager
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Ken Beukelman is the business manager at Dykstra’s. Born in Holland, the Beukelmans left town after his dad graduated from Western Seminary. The family was called to serve in Nebraska, Iowa and West Central Minnesota, where Ken graduated from high school. Ken attended Dordt College where he met Laurel Ver Hage. Laurel stole his heart and after graduation, they returned to Holland and married. Ken is familiar with family business. Laurel is a State Farm agent and has had her agency on Holland’s north side since 1987. They have been blessed with two daughters. Merideth, a Calvin graduate, is teaching science at Black Forest Academy (a boarding school serving missionaries and their children) in Kandern, Germany. Lydia is majoring in Japanese at Hope College. Ken and Laurel are long-time members at Pillar Church, where they have both been blessed and had opportunities to serve. Ken has been involved with Rotary and has sung in a number of groups in the Holland area. He currently sings with Lake Effect, a group whose goal is to praise God through music and at the same time help other charities raise money with benefit concerts. Ken loves Holland and is proud to call it home.





Dar Kleinheksel

Office Manager
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Dar Kleinheksel is the face you see when you’re at the Downtown Chapel. She has been working with her husband Craig since 1992; first, job sharing and then full time after the kids were out of high school. She brought with her the past experiences working in the office at Haworth. Dar and Craig are committed to serving the community with the same family values, care and compassion as John Dykstra, Julius Kleinheksel, and Victor Kleinheksel have done over the last 100 years. Dar and Craig have 3 children, Cari and Brendan, Katie, and Cort and Maggie, along with grandchildren, Jack, Annie, Lucy, Hattie, Tripp and Pete!

Days off may find Dar traveling to Chicago or Nashville spending time with family, diving into genealogy, antiquing, knitting or outside working in the yard. Dar is very grateful for the opportunity to be working in the beautiful downtown community. She loves to see the city thriving and all the activities going on. It’s an amazing place to be! She is a member of the New Apostolic Church, was a former Sunday school teacher, had sung in the choir and is part of a stitching group that has been together for 26 years!





Alexis Wright

Secretary
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In February 2016, Alexis Wright joined the family at Dykstra Funeral Home. Alexis was born and raised in Burton, MI. In 2009 God called her family to Holland where her father Doug, pastors Cornerstone Tabernacle. She quickly immersed herself as a youth leader for close to nine years and now Book Keeper and Music Director. You may recognize her from her past position with Paul’s Pharmacy. She had been employed for 4 ½ years in customer service, marketing and as a Pharmacy Technician. She has a love for people which makes her good at what she does.

Alexis never sits! One of her favorite things to do is stay busy! Whether it’s with the church, her friends or work, she likes to keep moving. In the small amount of free time she has, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach and traveling. Alexis’ greatest gift from her parents is the gift of pastoral care and compassion. She was raised to put everyone on the top rung of life. Alexis is eager to see what is in store for her as she moves forward as part of the Dykstra family.





Angie Johnson

Secretary
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Angie was born, raised and has lived in Holland her entire life. Growing up on the north side of Holland near Tunnel Park nurtured a love of the outdoors. You can find her at the beach swimming, riding her bike, or walking the trails in the warmer months. She loves reading, baking and spending time with her daughter Mackenzie most of all. She joined the family at Dykstra Funeral Home in September 2020 as a secretary of the Mulder Chapel and is honored to now assist with visitations and funerals.




Cindy Baumann

Secretary
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Cindy Baumann is our receptionist at our Northwood Chapel. She has been with Dykstra’s since March 2017. She is formally from Grand Rapids and met and married Joe Baumann from Holland, who is a part time employee for Dykstra’s.

They live on Holland’s north side and have two children. Daughter, Betsey Geoff, is currently pursuing a degree in pediatric dentistry and Derek, who graduated from Holland Christian in 2018 and is attending Grand Rapids Community College working towards a degree in business.

Cindy enjoys camping, bike riding, walking, fishing and reading and are members of and worship at Victory Point Ministries.





Joe Baumann

Funeral Assistant
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Joe, his wife, Cindy, and son Derek, live on Holland’s north side. Daughter, Betsey (Geoff) is completing her Pediatric Dental Residency in Ann Arbor and will soon be in private practice. He works full time at the Mark Hop Farm Bureau Insurance Agency and is also an Ottawa County Commissioner. Joe and Cindy enjoy camping with the kids and watching Holland Christian sports. The family also attends Victory Point Ministries. Joe started working part time for Dykstra Funeral Home in August of 2002. He is one of the faces you’ll see on the weekend as he assists with visitations and funerals.





Tom Meiste

Funeral Assistant
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Tom works full time for Holland Charter Township and helps Dykstra’s on a part time basis. He joined the staff at Dykstra Funeral Home in January of 2008. You may see him assisting with visitations at one of our facilities or helping with a funeral service. He and his wife Barb have lived in Holland all their lives. One of Tom’s passions is road biking in West Michigan. “We have one of the most beautiful areas in the state”, says Tom and he takes full advantage of it. Tom and Barb enjoy spending time with their three sons, Josh, Chad and Riley, going on camping trips during the summer months. Tom and his family are members at Ridge Point Community Church in Holland.





Jim VanMaastrict

Visitation/Funeral Assistant
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Jim was born and raised in Holland MI. and attended Holland Christian Schools. At age 16 his family moved to Florida where he graduated from Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida in 1975. He and his wife Elaine were married in 1981, live in the core city of Holland and are happy to be part to such a great community. They attend 14th Street Christian Reformed Church.

They have three “all grown up” sons, Matthew, Tom and Ben and have been blessed with five grandsons. Jim enjoys most outdoor activities, hiking with Elaine in the Smoky Mountains, fishing and yard work. He was employed by Haworth for over 30 years and came to Dykstra Funeral Home part time in October 2017. Jim is thankful for the opportunity to work for Dykstra’s and plays a part in helping others during a difficult time.





Dan Ritsema

Visitation/Funeral Assistant
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Dan Ritsema has been with Dykstra Funeral Home for the last 8 years helping with visitations and funerals. Dan was born and raised in Momence, IL. He graduated from Hope College and got his Master Degree in music from the University of Michigan. He retired from Zeeland Public School after 30 years of teaching. Dan and his wife Vonnie live on the north side of Holland. They have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Dan was also the Director of Music at Beechwood Church and was a realtor in the Holland area for 19 years. He and Vonnie attend Central Wesleyan Church where Dan plays in the orchestra and also the Big Band of Praise.





Sue Herweyer

Visitation/Funeral Assistant
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Sue and her husband Buck live on the south side of Holland. They have been married for 35 years and raised two daughters. Aimee (Dan) Zoulek, they live in West Olive with their three children, Catie, Zane and Wyatt and Heidi (Jerry) Hoogeveen live on the south side of Holland with their pug dog Otis. For the past 37years, Sue and Buck have attended Central Wesleyan Church where she served in Kids Hope, Usher & Greeter, Celebrate Recovery childcare, visiting shut-ins and has been involved with Hamilton Community and Holland Public Schools. Sue loves to spend time with her husband traveling and going up to their cabin in Baldwin with their children and grand children. She also loves playing cards with her Sunday night hiking group. Sue helps out at visitations, funerals and occasionally can be found helping out with secretarial duties. Losing a son at birth and a parent in her teen years had helped Sue understand the loss and grieving families go thru. She takes time to listen to stories families share and hope she can give them some comfort while they are going thru a difficult journey.





Ed Redder

Visitation/Funeral Assistant
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Ed Redder came to Dykstra’s in March 2012, after retiring as a Graphic Designer from Herman Miller, with 21 years of service. Ed has always said, “Working at Dykstra’s is the best job I’ve ever had”. Ed’s love of family and community serve him well. He’s lived his entire life in Holland, attending Holland Public Schools, graduating from Hope College in 1974 and raising his family on Holland’s south side. Ed and his wife Jill have two children. Their daughter Becky (Ryan), live in Holland, and son, Nathan who is in the Navy ROTC program at the University of Michigan. They also have a grandson, Owen. Ed is a member of the New Apostolic Church where he sings in the choir. Whether he is greeting you at a visitation or working a funeral, Ed has a magnetic personality that you are naturally drawn to.





Kyle Vohlken

Visitation/Funeral Assistant
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Kyle has always been interested in the arts; she paints, designs, writes, attends Hope Church and sings in the choir. Over the years she has sung in many choirs, both professional and volunteer, including Opera Grand Rapids. Kyle became acquainted with the Dykstra staff because of her volunteer position at Hope Church where she organizes the funeral receptions. It seemed a natural progression to become more involved in the process of caring for families and friends during a very tender time in their lives, by joining the Dykstra staff.




Paula Fabiano

Hairdresser
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Paula Fabiano is our hairstylist, having been licensed since 1983. She enjoys working with “this amazing team here at Dykstra Funeral Homes”. Paula has been with Dykstra’s for almost 20 years, helping to comfort families through their journey of loss. Paula and her husband Dale Brown live in Holland. Both Paula and Dale were born and raised in this amazing city. She understands what it’s like to be part of a family business, as her family is now in its 5th generation in downtown Holland. This makes Paula feel right at home within her Dykstra family.