Kenneth Van Wyk

Kenneth Dean Van Wyk was born on July 23, 1945, as the third child of Laurens and Carrie (Van Roekel) Van Wyk of Leighton, Iowa. He joined his two older siblings Luella Marie and John Henry and later welcomed three younger siblings Carol Jean, Laurens Jr., and Shirley Ruth. Kenneth attended Burr Oak Country School and Pella Christian. He helped his family operate the family farm until 1975. On March 8, 1975, Ken married Annette Blauwkamp. Laurens, Carrie, and Shirley moved to Oskaloosa and Ken took over operation of the farm. In 1977 Ken and Anne moved to Otley, Iowa. The farm was sold and Ken began work as a welder at Vermeer Manufacturing. He worked there for 27 years.

Annette Blauwkamp was from Beaver Dam, Michigan. In 1974, she was in Cedar Rapids working with the SWIM team (Summer Workshop In Missions) at the Peace Christian Reformed Church where Ken’s sister Luella was a member. Luella invited them both over for dinner and the romance began. Ken and Anne have one son Lucas Brent and two grandchildren Devyn and Sawyer.

Ken served in the Army National Guard from 1965 to 1971. He enjoyed bowling and fishing. He was on many bowling teams. He liked to go fishing and bring home dinner for the family. He liked to play board games and card games. He went on mission trips to Nicaragua, Texas, Colorado, and Alabama.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Laurens and Carrie, and by two brothers: John Henry and Laurens, Jr.

Ken is survived by his wife Annette (Blauwkamp) Van Wyk of Pella, their son Lucas Van Wyk and his son Devyn and daughter Sawyer of Oskaloosa. Also surviving are Ken’s sisters: Luella (Van Wyk) and Clarence Van Englehoven, Carol (Van Wyk) and James Lillard, Shirley (Van Wyk) and Michael Masucci and many nieces and nephews.

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