Larry Alvin Dykstra

Larry A. Dykstra, age 65, of Bigelow, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at Sanford Worthington Hospital in Worthington, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. at First Reformed Church in Sibley. Rev. Gary Van Heukelom and Rev. Ron Lammers officiating. Burial will be at 1:45 P.M. Saturday at Worthington Memorial Gardens in Worthington, Minnesota. Visitation will be Friday, February 17, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Home in Sibley. Larry Alvin Dykstra was born on March 2, 1946, in Worthington, Minnesota. He was the son of Leonard and Alice (Damstra) Dykstra. He lived his youth in rural Bigelow, Minnesota and attended the Bigelow Christian Grade School and Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. Larry served in the United States Army, for one tour of duty, during the Vietnam Conflict, and was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to LaVon Vellema of Bigelow, Minnesota on August 4, 1966, in Bigelow. They lived and farmed on the family farm, in rural Bigelow, until 2007 when they moved into Bigelow. Larry was a member of Bigelow Community Church. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends, hunting, fishing and camping with his family in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota. Larry will be remembered as an optimistic person who enjoyed his family, visiting with family, friends and total strangers, and being on the farm. He passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at the Sanford Hospital in Worthington, Minnesota. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 45 years: LaVon Dykstra of Bigelow, MN; his daughter: Tamara Dykstra of Rock Valley, IA; his son and daughter-in-law: Mark and Tanya Dykstra of Sibley, IA and their children: Tanner and Makya Dykstra; one brother: Herb and Ardis Dykstra of Gilbert, AZ; two sisters: Grace and Roger Silvis of Bigelow, MN, Phyllis and Paul Vander Linden of Ashton, IA; brother-in-law: Peter Weg of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law: Ercell Dykstra of Worthington, MN, Trudy Dykstra of Sibley, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Joyce Weg; 3 brothers: David Dykstra, Robert Dykstra and one infant brother. In Loving Memory Of Larry Alvin Dykstra Born: March 2, 1946 Passed Away: February 15, 2012 Age: 65 years, 11 months and 13 days FUNERAL SERVICE Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. First Reformed Church, Sibley, Iowa Family Prayer Service at 10:45 A.M. OFFICIATING Rev. Ron Lammers and Rev. Gary Van Heukelom MUSIC Organist: Deb Hulstein Special Music by Matt Russell Congregational Songs Processional: "How Great Thou Art" # 16 During the service: "Because He Lives" # 275 "Praise The Lord With The Sound Of Trumpet" sheet music Recessional: "Amazing Grace" # 299 USHER: Rod Hulstein CASKET BEARERS Brad Dykstra Jeff Dykstra Scott Dykstra Troy Dykstra Terry Gleason Shawn Haken Bob Paplow Marlin Silvis Don Weg INTERMENT 1:45 P.M. Worthington Memorial Gardens, Worthington, Minnesota MILITARY HONORS American Legion Calvin Knuth Post # 5 Worthington, Minnesota, Commander: Verlyn Ostren Following the Funeral Service, the family invites all for fellowship and lunch at the church. ARRANGEMENTS BY Andringa Funeral Home, Larry R. Andringa, Funeral Director