Raymond Gerald Van Dyk was born in Lake Prairie, Iowa, on May 23, 1929, the son of Geurt Reindert and Wilhelmina Clauzina Van Dyk. At the age of four, the family moved to Pella and he spent the remainder of his life on the same quarter block and loved his home.
After graduating from Pella High School, he served his country in the US Army in Alabama and Germany.
He married Delores Roxine Smith on July 6, 1956. Above all, they treasured their daughters, Tania Rae (T. Rae) Van Dyk and husband and daughter Greg and Lydia Gibson of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sanibel Island, Florida; and Randa Lea Van Dyk and husband Mark Facile of Pella.
Ray worked decades for the United States Postal Service and never took a sick day. He also drove truck for Geetings, Inc. for over 40 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Jennie (Wayne) Geetings, Johanna (Henry) Roozeboom, and brother John Anthony.
He is survived by his sister Shirley (Derrill) Cook.
Ray lamented he didn't feel he had been successful. We reminded him that he and his good friend, Bill Van Zante, voluntarily constructed handmade wooden toy cars for indigent children in dozens of countries. Making 60,000 children happy is the very definition of success.
Ray was in a rehab facility to help strengthen his leg following a fall. He was diagnosed with COVID on October 19, 2020, and died on October 20, 2020. We choose to think of him as he was before, either working in his yard, or playing with his beloved Kali.
In lieu of flowers - please wear a mask.
No services planned. Donations will go toward a memorial park bench at Sunken Gardens for Ray.
Source: Iowa Cremation [edited]
Raymond Gerald Van Dyk was born in Lake Prairie, Iowa, on May 23, 1929, the son of Geurt Reindert and Wilhelmina Clauzina Van Dyk. At the age of four, the family moved to Pella and he spent the remainder of his life on the same quarter block and loved his home.
After graduating from Pella High School, he served his country in the US Army in Alabama and Germany.
He married Delores Roxine Smith on July 6, 1956. Above all, they treasured their daughters, Tania Rae (T. Rae) Van Dyk and husband and daughter Greg and Lydia Gibson of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sanibel Island, Florida; and Randa Lea Van Dyk and husband Mark Facile of Pella.
Ray worked decades for the United States Postal Service and never took a sick day. He also drove truck for Geetings, Inc. for over 40 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Jennie (Wayne) Geetings, Johanna (Henry) Roozeboom, and brother John Anthony.
He is survived by his sister Shirley (Derrill) Cook.
Ray lamented he didn't feel he had been successful. We reminded him that he and his good friend, Bill Van Zante, voluntarily constructed handmade wooden toy cars for indigent children in dozens of countries. Making 60,000 children happy is the very definition of success.
Ray was in a rehab facility to help strengthen his leg following a fall. He was diagnosed with COVID on October 19, 2020, and died on October 20, 2020. We choose to think of him as he was before, either working in his yard, or playing with his beloved Kali.
In lieu of flowers - please wear a mask.
No services planned. Donations will go toward a memorial park bench at Sunken Gardens for Ray.
Source: Iowa Cremation [edited]
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