Jack Irwin Dykstra

As a kind and tenderhearted person, Jack Dykstra naturally drew people into his life. A loving family man and a friend to many, he had the type of personality that everyone loved to be around. Throughout his life, Jack was dedicated to his faith, and balanced hard work with the role of a loving husband, father and grandfather. His years of dedicated work afforded him both a happy place in life and a family that loved him dearly.

Jack Irwin Dykstra was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on January 26, 1930, during a difficult time in American history, the Great Depression. Despite the economic hardships of the era, Jack's parents, Elmer and Alice (Wierenga) Dykstra, provided a healthy and stable home for him and his younger sister, Barbara. Elmer worked as a buyer of children's clothes for Steketee's, while Alice stayed home, caring for the needs of their family. They raised their children with good Christian values, and they both attended Grand Rapids Christian Schools.

After graduating high school, Jack attended Calvin College for a while before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He received his honorable discharge from the military in 1960, and some time thereafter he returned to college to complete his education. It was during this time that Jack married his longtime sweetheart, Frances Van Dam, on June 1, 1950. He knew Frances since he was fourteen and over the years their puppy love grew into a true love that would span 31 years of marriage. The couple was also the proud parents of two daughters, Cathye born in 1957 in Grand Rapids, and Cindy born in 1959 in Muskegon. The family moved to Holland, Michigan in 1964, where he and Frances raised their girls. Jack followed in the same career path as his father and worked as a buyer for Steketee's in Grand Rapids, and was later a Manager at Steketee's in Holland. Jack had also owned and operated his own business called Jack Dykstra Menswear for a time, and worked at Herplescheimer's in Muskegon. Eventually, Jack left the retail business and started working in heavy equipment sales until he retired in 1990.

Jack's strong Christian faith was a hallmark of his life, and his commitment to his religious beliefs was always evident in the way he lived his life. Jack had lost his beloved wife Frances in 1984, and later remarried to Betty (Stille) Elenbaas in 1987. He and his wife, Betty, were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland.

In retirement, Jack enjoyed traveling and meeting new people, all of whom quickly became his friends. Jack was a pretty good handyman around the house; though he considered himself a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. He really enjoyed doing woodworking, which often resulted in sawdust everywhere. Jack must have had a pretty good voice because everyone enjoyed his lively rendition of the Happy Birthday song. But, above all else, Jack enjoyed being surrounded by his family and friends. They were the people he shared life with, and the people he loved. They will always remember Jack for his kind presence, his friendly nature and his deep commitment to family.

Jack Irwin Dykstra, age 76, of Holland, MI, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2006, at his home after battling cancer for the last two years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Fran Dykstra. Jack is survived by his wife, Betty Dykstra, of Holland; his children: Cathye and Ron Sportel of Kalamazoo, Cindy and Kirk Scheerhorn of Holland, Sharon and Matt Fisher of Holland, Ron and Cheryl Elenbaas of Holland, Lori and Greg Klinesteker of Holland, and James and Kate Elenbaas of Decatur, IL; 18 grandchildren; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mary Van Ommen of Holland, Bob and Pat Stille of Holland, Bill and Hazel Stille of Hamilton, Rich and Gail Stille of Holland, Nettie Oostema-Tschantz and Tret Telman, both of Grand Rapids, Ruth Van Dam of Grand Rapids, and Shirley Van Dam-Bosscher of Grandville; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 12, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State Street in Holland, with Rev. Linda Knieriemen officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 2-4 p.m. at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Avenue. Burial will take place at Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc., Northwood Chapel.