1920
William
2011
William Bill Meindert Dykstra
February 20, 1920 — August 14, 2011
DYKSTRA, William Bill Meindert
Of Portage Passed away Sunday, August 14, 2011 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Bill was born February 20, 1920 in Kalamazoo the son of Meindert and Fredericka Fischhaber Dykstra. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a twin brother Robert; a brother-in-law, Thomas VanderLugt; his wife of many years, Kathleen Grace Middlebush Dykstra; and his only son Michael William Dykstra. Bill grew up on the North Side of Kalamazoo and attended Kalamazoo Central. When World War II began he served as a medic in the U.S. Army. When the war ended he married his sweetheart and began his career with the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, as a lab technician until his retirement in 1985. Bill loved woodworking and built both of the homes his family lived in. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and just being outside. Later in life he and Kay enjoyed camping at Yankee Springs, Cranhill Ranch, and Pentwater. Often their children and grandchildren would join them. Bill also served as a deacon at his church, Trinity Reformed Church. This was also a time for him to use his carpentry skills in redoing the old sanctuary into a gym for many church members and guests to use. He also used his wood working skills to make Bible figures for Children in Worship leaders in the area. These figures help the children's leaders tell Bible stories in a way children could easily understand. Many hours went into cutting and sanding these figures. Bill is survived by three daughters: Janet Craig Schreuder, Barbara Glen Adams, Dolores Dykstra, and a daughter-in-law, Mary Dykstra. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Andrea Christopher McKenna, Andrew Katrina Schreuder, Nathan Adams, Becky Adams, Heidi and Thomas Dykstra. He is also survived by many great-grandchildren: Lauren, Cole, and Grant McKenna; Micah, Jane, and Drew Schreuder, Brianna Adams, Mackenzie and Ethan O'Connor and Elizabeth and Micah Blok; and a sister, Lorraine VanderLugt. A private graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may meet the family Thursday evening from 6-8pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre St. Memorials may be directed to the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online guestbook.
Of Portage Passed away Sunday, August 14, 2011 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Bill was born February 20, 1920 in Kalamazoo the son of Meindert and Fredericka Fischhaber Dykstra. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a twin brother Robert; a brother-in-law, Thomas VanderLugt; his wife of many years, Kathleen Grace Middlebush Dykstra; and his only son Michael William Dykstra. Bill grew up on the North Side of Kalamazoo and attended Kalamazoo Central. When World War II began he served as a medic in the U.S. Army. When the war ended he married his sweetheart and began his career with the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, as a lab technician until his retirement in 1985. Bill loved woodworking and built both of the homes his family lived in. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and just being outside. Later in life he and Kay enjoyed camping at Yankee Springs, Cranhill Ranch, and Pentwater. Often their children and grandchildren would join them. Bill also served as a deacon at his church, Trinity Reformed Church. This was also a time for him to use his carpentry skills in redoing the old sanctuary into a gym for many church members and guests to use. He also used his wood working skills to make Bible figures for Children in Worship leaders in the area. These figures help the children's leaders tell Bible stories in a way children could easily understand. Many hours went into cutting and sanding these figures. Bill is survived by three daughters: Janet Craig Schreuder, Barbara Glen Adams, Dolores Dykstra, and a daughter-in-law, Mary Dykstra. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Andrea Christopher McKenna, Andrew Katrina Schreuder, Nathan Adams, Becky Adams, Heidi and Thomas Dykstra. He is also survived by many great-grandchildren: Lauren, Cole, and Grant McKenna; Micah, Jane, and Drew Schreuder, Brianna Adams, Mackenzie and Ethan O'Connor and Elizabeth and Micah Blok; and a sister, Lorraine VanderLugt. A private graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may meet the family Thursday evening from 6-8pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre St. Memorials may be directed to the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online guestbook.
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