Ernest Dykema

Ernest Dykema

Ernest J. Dykema, 98, Strasburg, North Dakota passed away at the Strasburg Care Center on Jan. 23, 2022.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Hull Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Shawn Abass officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior at the church. Myers Funeral Home of Linton will be streaming Ernest's service for any family and friends that can't attend at www.Myersfh.com under Ernest's obituary.

Burial will take place at the Hull Cemetery with military honors following the service.

Ernest (Ernie) Julius Dykema was born Oct. 28, 1923, to Peter W. and Nellie (Statema) Dykema on their farm northwest of Hull. He was the youngest of 4 boys and attended grade school near the farm for 8 years. He then attended Strasburg High School for 2 years. He received his GED in 1960.

In 1945, he was drafted in the U.S. Army and received heavy weapons training at Camp Joseph C. Robinson near Little Rock, Arkansas. It took him 23 days to get to Korea - he thought he would never see home or land again. Being a farmboy made him a very handy person and he was made squad leader, with 10 men under him, in the 42nd Engineers Battalion in Korea where he learned to speak Korean. He directed his squad in the erection of bridges, structures, and road surfacing. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He returned home in October 1947 and started cattle and grain farming.

Ernest married Carol Jean Hollaar on Oct. 28, 1947, in the parsonage in Hull, N.D. They lived on the farm near Hull where he was born and grew up until he entered the Strasburg Care Center in 2017. They had 4 children, Ronald (Loreli), Janet (Gary) Gilchrist, Sylvia Dykema, and David Dykema. He served as an Elder in the Consistory of the Hull Christian Reformed Church for several years and also taught catechism. He would also read the sermon if the minister was unavailable.

Ernie and Carol Jean did volunteer work for the Strasburg Care Center driving the van for residents' appointments for 16 years after which they continued to visit residents at the Care Center. He assisted with grilling for some of the nursing home picnics. Some of the things he enjoyed were driving the nursing home van and free meals! He felt privileged to be part of the Roughrider Honor Flight on Sept. 18 and 19, 2009.

In addition to his children, he leaves 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren: Rev. Dr. Bobbi (Tim Bender) Dykema; Brett Dykema, Benjamin and Mary; James (Nicole) Dykema, Cara, Bridger, and Addison; Ryan (Erin) Gilchrist, Paige Klein, and Kaydee; Missy Gilchrist; Alexander (Huangyan) Blood, Sebastian; Mackenzie Blood, Anakin, Lynx, and Cairo; Micah (Megan) Breeden; and Caleb Breeden.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Carol Jean (Nov. 19, 2021), brothers Alfred (Tannie), Edward (Clara and Gladys), and William (Helen), daughter-in-law Mary Pollock Dykema, grandson Clinton Dykema (Nov. 27, 2021) and nephews Merrill Dykema and Al Dykema Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Hull Christian Reformed Church, Hague, N.D., or the Activity Center at the Strasburg Care Center, Strasburg, N.D.

The family would like to thank the Strasburg Care Center for the excellent care given to Ernest (4 years), Carol Jean (4 years), and Clint (15 years). The Dykema wing at the Care Center is closed!