Phyllis VANDERKLEED

VANDERKLEED, Phyllis (Zylstra) age 83, of Lafayette, IN, died on May 30, 2017. She was born in Hull, IA, in 1933 to Cornelius and Hendrena (Van Wesep) Zylstra. While growing up she also lived in Pella and Sanborn, IA, and in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, MI. After graduating from Calvin College, she taught at Lafayette Christian School in Lafayette, IN. She remained in Indiana, marrying Bernard Vanderkleed, taking a break from teaching while her children were young, gardening and raising chickens. Many years later, after divorcing, she moved to Holland, MI, and then to Orange City, IA, where she resumed her teaching career at the Orange City Christian School. She later settled down in Tucson, AZ, where she earned her master's in reading from the University of Arizona and taught in the public schools until her retirement. She then worked seasonal jobs in Yellowstone National Park and was a substitute teacher. She also enjoyed reading, playing cards, and traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. As her health declined, she moved back to Lafayette, IN, where she lived until the time of her death. She is survived by five children, Vern (Laurie) Vanderkleed of Atlanta, GA, Tim (Erin) Vanderkleed of Lafayette, IN, Laurel (Bob) Van Der Wende of Oak Ridge, NJ, Chris (Mark) Dykstra of Hospers, IA, and Russ VanderKleed of Tucson, AZ; three brothers, Gordon (Jane) Zylstra of Jenison, MI, Ken (Sue) Zylstra of Grandville, MI, and Carl Zylstra of Sioux Falls, SD and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Darrell VanderKleed; a sister, Marilyn Smith; brothers-in-law, Richard Smith and Bob Horn and a sister-in-law, Gloria Zylstra. A Memorial Service will be held at Lafayette Christian Reformed Church on Friday, June 23, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. followed by Visitation from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The elevator entrance is on 12th St. under the canopy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission India. www.simplicity-funeralcare.com Arrangements by HIPPENSTEEL FUNERAL HOME.