Bernard Wayne Van Wyk was born Jan. 1, 1939, to Dirk and Martha (De Kraai) Van Wyk near Rose Hill. He passed away Mar. 28, 2022, at the age of 83 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 31, at Taintor Community Church. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Apr. 1, at Taintor Community Church and livestreamed from the church. Private burial will be in Sully Cemetery. Memorials have been designated for Sully Fire Department.
At an early age, he made confession of faith to the Savior Jesus Christ. Bernard attended a country school at Forest Home. He joined the U.S. Army Nov. 6, 1961, served in the artillery branch in Fort Sill, OK, and was honorably discharged in 1963.
Apr. 10, 1964, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Mae Geurts at Sully First Reformed Church. They were blessed with three sons. Bernard continued to farm, also worked for New Sharon Truck Line, then Key Co-op, driving truck. He also did several seasons of custom hay bailing for many other farmers in the area. Bernard and Lavonne have attended Taintor Community Church for many years.
Among the activities he enjoyed was participating in his children’s 4-H activities, kids sporting events, touring the country on Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, auctions and flea markets, Army reunions, tractor riding, and watching the Iowa corn and bean crops grow. He was a 4-H leader for 10 years, a board member of Iowa Beef Breeds Council, and multi-year member of Red Rock Threshers Club.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Harold and Jennie Geurts; infant brother Bernard W.; sister Jane Ann Van Wyk; sister Ada Kay Van Maanen; brother-in-law Ralph Van Wyk; and grandson Benjamin Raymond Van Wyk.
Bernard is survived by his wife LaVonne Mae Van Wyk; three sons Daryl Dean (Connie Grunder) Van Wyk, Kurt Eugene (Denita) Van Wyk, and Brent Leon (Lori) Van Wyk; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Bernard is also survived by his brothers Donald (Lucille) Van Wyk, Dick (Linda) Van Wyk, and Harold (Twyla) Van Wyk; a brother-in-law Gilbert Van Maanen; sisters-in-law: Linda (Ervin) Arkema, and Cindy (Randy) Van Kooten; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to thank all the staff at St. Francis Manor and Care Initiatives Hospice for their care.
