Abram "Abe" Sidney Van Dyke

Abram S. Van Dyke

Sheldon, Iowa

           Abram S. Van Dyke, age 92, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon.  His funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon with Pastor Brian R. Dunn ~ officiating.

            Burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

            Visitation with family present will be from 10 to 11 A.M. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. 

The Family wish that in lieu of flowers that memorials be directed to

Sanford Home Health and Hospice/Beecin Foundation

118 N 7th Avenue

P.O. Box 250

Sheldon, Iowa 51201.

To view the Livestream of the service, go to the church’s website:

https://www.youtube.com/@firstchristianreformedshel6538/streams

Arrangements are under the care of the Andringa Funeral Home of Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

ABRAM S. VAN DYKE

BORN: March 7, 1931 ~ Rapelje, Montana

PASSED AWAY: February 10, 2024 ~ Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2024

First Christian Reformed Church ~ Sheldon, Iowa

Pastor Brian R. Dunn ~ Officiating

MUSIC

“Victory in Jesus”

Solo: Jason Vande Brake

Pianist- Lori DeJong

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“How Great thou Art”

“The Wonder of it All”

Organist: Yvonne Bolkema

CASKET BEARERS

Family

FINAL RESTING PLACE

East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa

The Family wish that in lieu of flowers that Memorials be directed to Sanford Home, Health & Hospice.

After the graveside service relatives and friends

are invited to join the family in the 

fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Andringa Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

Abram Sidney Van Dyke, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024 at Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa, where he resided in his final days, reaching the age of 92 years, 11 months and 3 days.

     Abe was born on March 7, 1931, on the family farm near Rapelje, Montana, to John and Dora (Riedstra) Van Dyke. He spent his early years in Montana and retained vivid memories of the farm, his parents and siblings, and their early childhood adventures. At 12, Abe moved with his family to Fremont, Michigan, where he attended Fremont Christian School and graduated from Fremont High School in 1949.

     After graduation, Abe briefly worked in construction before answering the call to serve his country. He was drafted into the Army in January 1952 and received basic training at Fort Riley, KS. During the Korean Conflict, Abe spent 18 months stationed in Germany, where he served with honor until his discharge in January 1954. Upon his return, Abe settled in Sheldon, Iowa, where his parents had moved when he was in the service, and there he met his future wife, Everdean "Dean."

     On August 22, 1956, Abe married his love, Everdean Vaandrager, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. He and Dean also spent 65-plus years in a home he built on Pleasant Court Drive, where they raised their family of four. They continued sharing lives and caring together with special neighbors for the duration of their stay. Throughout their marriage, Abe and Dean were active members of the church community, with Abe serving as an elder, deacon, and Cadet counselor. He also dedicated his time to various boards, including the Christian School Board and the Sheldon Airport Commission.

Vocationally, Abe enjoyed working as a carpenter, mason, and electrician for Andringa Construction, Noack Electric, and the Big 4 in his early career. He then spent the final 30 years of his working life at Ron Drenkow Motors in sales, parts, and service.

     In addition to his professional pursuits’ community involvement, Abe enjoyed many activities and liked trying new things. He was fascinated by God's creation and the amazing world around him. He was passionate about flying, took flying lessons, and soloed in the skies above Sheldon. He was also a member of the Sheldon Golf Course, where he enjoyed golfing with friends and family. He loved listening to music, traveling with Dean to visit their siblings, kids, and grandkids in Michigan, and going to any sporting events and activities involving his children and grandkids.

     Abe also had a special gift of interacting with young children. He took great joy in sharing his gift with his five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, creating cherished memories filled with laughter and love. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

     In addition to his wife Everdean, Abe is survived by his children, Dennis (Jo) Van Dyke of Caledonia, MI, Dale (Kelli) Van Dyke of Caledonia, MI, Don (Julie) Van Dyke of Sergeant Bluff, IA, and Darla Van Dyke of Grand Rapids, MI; his grandchildren, Nick (Ray) Faulkner, Jarrid Faulkner, Leslee (Tyler) Reiter, Ben (Lindsay) Van Dyke, Kelsey (Justin) Jaeger, and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving are in-laws William and Bonnie Nanninga, Gretta Vaandrager, Doreen Van Dyke, and many loved nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Thomas (Bertha) Van Dyke, sister Jessie (Kenneth) Lemmer, brother Albert Van Dyke, sister Henrietta (Leonard) Tellinghuisen, sister Alwena (Gerald) Dolieslager. In-Laws: Francis "Bud" Vaandrager, Kenneth (Thelma) Vaandrager, Clarence (Thelma) Verhoef.