Dykstra, Ruth Marie Van Waardhuizen 1928-2012

DYKSTRA, VAN WAARDHUIZEN, KOOL, RUSSELL, WESSEL, ROLNIAK, LOSOFF, SWANK, EELING

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/28/2025 at 10:22:24

Ruth Dykstra
Otley, IA

Ruth M. (Van Waardhuizen) Dykstra, 83, passed away Monday at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Melvin L. Dykstra and their five children and their spouses: Nancy and Neil Russell, John and Barbara Dykstra, Randy and Lisa Dykstra, Connie Dykstra, Bonnie Dykstra-Losoff and Bob Losoff. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 12 at 1:30 p.m., Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines (IA) Register on Jan. 11, 2012.
==============================================
Ruth Marie Van Waardhuizen Dykstra
BIRTH
14 Sep 1928
Cordova, Marion County, Iowa, USA
DEATH
9 Jan 2012 (aged 83)
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA
BURIAL
Oak Wood Cemetery
Pella, Marion County, Iowa, USA
Show MapGPS-Latitude: 41.4119674, Longitude: -92.9266478
MEMORIAL ID
83398082 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 1
FLOWERS 0

Sponsor this memorial with an exclusive premium layout and no ads.
Sponsor this page

Ruth Marie Van Waardhuizen was born on September 14, 1928, near Cordova, Iowa. She was the fourth of five children that were born to Arie an Mae Elizabeth (Kool) Van Waardhuizen. While growing up on her family farm in Cordova she attended the Fairview Country School. After completing her formal education she continued to live and help out on the family farm until her marriage to Melvin Lee Dykstra on February 12, 1947.

Ruth had met Melvin on several occasions as children, but they didn't start to date until early 1946. Ruth and Melvin called many places home as they pursued their passion to live the American dream. Although they lived in many central Iowa cities they returned to the Dykstra family Century Farm in 1979.

During their 65 years of marriage they were blessed with 5 children; Nancy, John, Randy, Connie and Bonnie; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grand children.

Ruth was a dedicated and hard-working employed for the Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa for 32 years. After her retirement from Maytag in 1982, she decided to return to work and was employed by the Town Crier until January of 2011. Ruth's first interest was her family but she also enjoyed embroidery, traveling, her beloved pets and birds, plants and flowers and a true love for the outdoors.

In August 2011, Ruth was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma. She fought the battle for several months but succumbed to the disease while being cared for at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday morning, January 9, 2012, at the age of 83.

Those who will cherish her memory are her husband for 65 years, Melvin Dykstra; their five children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. They are: Nancy and Neil Russell, Ian and Sara Russell, Aiden and Gavin, Peter and Jess Russell, Josephine, John and Dykstra, Darrell and Christi Dykstra, Elizabeth and Abigail, Amanda and Matt Wessel, Breanne and Jocelyn, Randy and Lisa Dykstra, Chris and Kristy Dykstra, Kaylee, Ronnie and Lacie Dykstra, Chase, Lance and Collin, Kelly and Mike Rolniak, Johnathan and Shelby, Connie Dykstra, Jeff and Laura Dykstra, Evan, Bonnie and Bob Losoff, Haley, Elijah and Hannah.

Ruth also leaves one brother, Ervin Van Waardhuizen and his wife Carolyn. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arie and Mae Van Waardhuizen; son, John A. Dykstra 11-16-1951 to 6- 2017 and Barbara, two brothers and their wives: Arie Junior and Janet Van Waardhuizen, Elmer and Patricia Van Waardhuizen; her sister and her husband, Dorothy and Ralph Swank; and her parents-in-law, Ralph and Marie (Eeling) Dykstra.

Ruth will be remembered as a loving wife, mommy, grandma and great-grandma. There are not enough words to define how much she will be missed by her family and friends. Our lives will forever be changed because of her and because she is no longer with us.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 1:30 pm at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa. Interment will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery at Pella. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.
Family Members
Parents

Arie W Van Waardhuizen
1897–1957

Mae Elizabeth Kool Van Waardhuizen
1899–1977

Spouse

Melvin Lee Dykstra
1929–2014 (m. 1947)

Siblings

Arie "Junior" Van Waardhuizen Jr
1922–1996

Elmer John Van Waardhuizen
1923–2008

Dorothy Ann Van Waardhuizen Swank
1925–2004

Children
John Arthur Dykstra
1951–2017 - Find A Grave.