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Janet Dykstra Obituary
Mrs. Janet Kay Dykstra, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at Woodland Terrace, Bridgman.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 Glenlord Road, St Joseph, MI 49085. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Burial will be in Spring Run Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Janet's memory may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, Michigan Lutheran High School or Liberty Christian Classical School.
Janet was born on July 1, 1941, in Berrien Springs to Andrew and Anna (Steinke) Zech. A lifelong resident of the area, Janet graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1959. She started working at Whirlpool, after graduating, then worked at Indiana Michigan Power Co., for 23 years as a secretary. Janet decided to start a second career with her husband, Phil, and opened Kilwins St. Joseph in 1998, which the two ran for 25-plus years.
Janet was a longtime, devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. She always made sure her faith and strong love for the Lord came first and was reflected in her daily life. Janet also loved her family very much. She hosted countless treasured family gatherings and enjoyed making every holiday special. She enjoyed traveling, polka dancing with Phil, and driving to Helen, Ga., to attend Oktoberfest.
Janet will be missed by her husband of 46 years, Philip Dykstra; children: Tamara Hill of St. Joseph, Traci (Eric) Stoub of Berrien Springs, Richard (Marie) Hill Jr. of Dowagiac and Shawn (Shelley) Hill of St. Joseph; grandchildren: Hayden Stoub, Callahan Stoub, Colton (fiancée Ally Simpson), Richard "Ricky" Phillip Hill and Lauren Hill; siblings: Michael (Judith) Zech of Georgia, Joyce (Joseph) Scherer of St. Joseph and Marilyn (Dan) Hurrle of St. Joseph; brothers-in-law: Marvin (Joyce) Dykstra and Raymond (Beth) Dykstra and sister-in-law, Marcia Dekker.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents: Andrew and Anna; in-laws: Henry and Gertrude Dykstra and brother-in-law, William Dykstra.
Janet loved meeting and greeting new people at Kilwins and talking to old friends around town and always made sure to say goodbye by saying, "God be with you and keep you safe, and let your light shine for Jesus."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Starks & Menchinger Chapel - Saint Joseph2650 Niles Rd, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
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