DON VAN DYKEN

Don Van Dyken went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 10, 2005, at the age of 72. He was the son of Bert and Rose Van Dyken and grew up near the community of Manhattan.

He attended Manhattan Christian School and then graduated from Manhattan High School in 1951. Shortly after graduating from high school he enrolled in the United States Armed Forces where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He went on to become a jump master at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Don then married the love of his life, Jean Bos, 50 years ago this April 28. They resided in the Bozeman area, where they raised their four children: Vonnie, Debbie, Terry and Brenda.

For the last nearly 20 years they have been living in Southern California. He was a member and actively involved at Crosspoint Christian Reformed Church, Chino.

Dad, you were a loving and devoted husband and father as well as a strong spiritual leader to your family. You had a faith that was more practice than theory, teaching us a deep respect and love for the Lord. We have many fond memories of you. We won't forget all the basketball games you sat through or all the fun times we had on the ski slopes, camping and hunting trips, and the times spent on the golf course.

Dad was not afraid of hard work, doing work with his whole heart as for the Lord. He was creative and able to make his hands do what his mind envisioned. Some of his jobs were: logging, driving milk truck, hauling mobile homes, well drilling and welding fabrication. He also enjoyed tinkering on vehicles.

Grandpa enjoyed his 12 grandchildren who always looked forward to his humor and jesting. Grandpa had a daring sense of adventure, and life was meant to be actively lived rather than passively observed, which encouraged them to live life to its fullest. They also enjoyed listening to grandpa read the Bible and pray.

His desire for others to know Christ was evident in the way that he valued family, friends and co-workers, and he was valued by them and will be missed by all who knew him.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Terry (1999);  brothers, Harvey and Marvin; and sister, Agnes; mother-in-law, Martha Bos; brothers-in-law, "Buck" Bos and Gordon Bos.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Van Dyken of Riverside, Calif.; his children, Vonnie (Bob) Roller of Grand Forks, N.D., Debbie (Darrel) Flikkema of Manhattan, Brenda (Jerry) Van Otterloo of Escondido, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Vanessa (Kyle) McMurray of Bozeman; his brother, Dr. Robert (Barb) Van Dyken of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; sister-in-law, Alice (Harvey) VanDyken; father-in law, John Bos; brothers-in-law, Eldon Bos, Jim (Lois) Bos, Ron (Jan) Bos, Dave (Marilyn) Bos; sisters-in-law, Helen (Duane) Kamps, Kathy (Carl) Wierda. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren: Chad (Sherene), Tim, Shawna and Angela Flikkema; Branden (fiancee, Kari), Kyle (Miranda) and Tyson (Carrie) Van Dyken; Ryan, Matthew and Rachel Roller; Nicole and Traci Van Otterloo. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Kade and Trevor Van Dyken; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Churchill Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at Manhattan Christian Reformed Church at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Manhattan Christian School Gymnasium Building Fund, or to the charity of the donor's choice.

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