Russell Dale Wykstra

Russell Dale Wykstra, 75, of Naples, FL died October 8th, 2016 in Naples. Russ was born in Plainwell, Michigan, Sept. 28, 1941. He graduated from Martin Michigan High School, attended Brainerd Community College, and the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Before retirement, he worked at Gibson Guitar for twelve years and fourteen years at Heritage Guitar. He was an avid fisherman, both fresh and salt water. He enjoyed playing cards and playing musical instruments. On June 23, 1995 he married Nikki E. Barry in Kalamazoo, MI. In 1992 he and Nikki moved to Stuart, FL for the warmth and the fishing. They later moved to Naples in April of 2014 and Russ moved to assisted living at Juniper Village at Naples in October 2014 until his death. He is survived by his devoted wife Nikki, brothers and sisters and an adopted daughter, Elizabeth Anne Loney. Services will be held later in Portage, MI with burial at Portage Municipal Cemetery.

My sweet man, Russell Dale Wykstra, left me on October 8, 2016. It was shortly after I left him in the care of Hospice, Friday October 7th. I got the call at 1:15 in the middle of the night and the moon and stars were out as I drove the 17 miles to Russ. I hugged and said my goodbyes while waiting for the funeral home people to carry Russ away. The nurse, the hospice supervisor and the night caregiver of the Juniper were all present and so kind to me. I was able to talk of Russ and to cry when I wanted. I want everyone to know we loved each other for 21 years. It was good and yes, it was difficult as Russ suffered from Parkinson's. Yet our moments and our adventures did overpower the hard times. Prayer has helped me this past year and I believe Russ too, was seeking prayer for peace.

I must share the last word Russ spoke to me approximately 3 days before he died. He could not conduct a conversation and I wanted him to remember all the love we shared for each other. I hugged him saying I would do my best for him. We had so many fishing trips, so many dances, so many times of pure joy. Then, quietly, Russ uttered, "Adventure" and I smiled so gleefully because that was a word we used to say in 2002 thru 2008 every time we turned the ignition of the boat ON as we headed out the dock for the fishing spots. We made a point of saying, "Here goes another ADVENTURE." We took turns being the Captain and running the boat but we both held to that custom. I am flying to Michigan with Russ's cremains and we are planning a memorial service on November 11, 2016 at Langeland Family Funeral Home, Portage Chapel 411 E. Centre Ave. ,Portage, Michigan. The plan is to have a gathering at 2 pm and I will be there with photos on screen at 1 pm. Please offer your memories about Russ in your life at the Service. Memorial donations in Russ's name may be directed to Parkinson's Foundation of Michigan.

Please offer your memories about Russ in your life at the Service. The Funeral Home in Florida has a special memorial page for Russ at this website: www.fullernaples.com . You must type in Russell Dale Wykstra to get to his site.

Thank you to all who knew Russa�"He did have a positive outlook in spite of great odds.
Love, Nikki Wykstra

**THE FAMILY HAS REQUESTED NO FLOWERS**

**MEMORIALS**

Parkinson Foundation of Michigan
30400 Telegraph Rd. Suite 150
Bingham Farms, MI 48025-5819
800-852-9781
www.parkinsonsmi.org

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Visitation

NOV 11. 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Portage Chapel
411 East Centre Ave
Portage, MI, US, 49002

Memorial Service

NOV 11. 02:00 PM

Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Portage Chapel
411 East Centre Ave
Portage, MI, US, 49002