Marlene Ruth Van Wyk was born August 23, 1933, near Otley, Iowa. She was the first of two children born to Abram L. and Gertrude C. (Bogaards) Dykstra, on the Dykstra family farm.

She moved to Pella when she was three years old and attended Lincoln Elementary School. She graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1951.

Marlene met Gilbert Van Wyk before he entered the reserves in 1953, then dated in 1955 after he returned from Korea. Following high school, Marlene worked at Pella Rolscreen as a stenographer.  On February 15, 1957, she was united in marriage to Gilbert at the Third Reformed Church in Pella. To this union they were blessed with two children: Denise Kay and Loran Eugene. Marlene enjoyed raising her family and helping her husband on the farm.

Marlene loved weekend outings with the family and vacations with family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing days, 4-H, Just Us Neighbors Club, and card parties with friends. Recently she was blessed to be able to attend her granddaughter's wedding.

Marlene was a member of the First Church in Sully where she was active in many groups: Golden Hour, Circle, and teaching Sunday School.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Gilbert and their family:

Denise and David Roose of Pella

Loran and Pat Van Wyk of Newton

Andrea Van Wyk

Erica (Joe) Pepe

She is also survived by her sister: Evelyn (Robert) Van Dyke, and siblings-in-law: Orville (Vi) Van Wyk, Gary (Deen) Van Wyk, and Margaret Ann Coop, and many nieces and nephews.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Abram and Gertrude Dykstra, her parents-in-law Henry G. and Clara Van Wyk, sister-in-law Mildred Bogaards, brother-in-law Newton K. Coop, and four nieces and nephews.

Marlene recently enjoyed celebrating her 90th Birthday Party and was fortunate to be able to worship with her church family at First Reformed Church.

Family to purchase memorial bench in her honor

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte NC 28201
Web: http://billygraham.org