Dorothy Van Wyk, 77, of Pella, passed away Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at Pella Comfort House. Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Covenant Reformed Church, Pella. Memorials have been designated to Pella Christian High School or Hospice of Pella.
Dorothy Jean Van Englehoven was born Feb. 11, 1939, to John and Della Van Englehoven in Prairie City.
Dorothy grew up on a farm north of Pella and graduated from Pella Christian High School in 1957. That summer, she met Jerald Van Wyk and they fell in love. They corresponded while Dorothy attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, where she obtained her teaching certificate. After Dorothy returned, she taught for a year until they were united in marriage on Aug. 7, 1959, at the First Christian Reformed Church, Pella. They started their life together in a small apartment on East 1st and then lived at 1212 Broadway in Pella for over 50 years. They were blessed with five children. In 2009, they began enjoying retirement and were able to travel extensively, visiting Arizona, California, Ohio, North Carolina, Oregon, Holland, and even relived their honeymoon at Niagara Falls for their 50th anniversary before Jerald passed away on Aug. 4, 2013.
Dorothy was a wonderful loving and caring mother, who enjoyed time with family above all else. She was gifted with creative talents, and while attending Pella Christian High, created the school logo that is still in use today. She loved flowers and won many ribbons in the flower show during Pella’s annual Tulip Time Festival, including the distinctive tri-color ribbon award. Her talents became well known as she went on to work as a professional floral designer for 15 years, first at The Mayflower and then The Village Florist in Pella.
Dorothy will be greatly missed and dearly remembered by her five children: Randy Van Wyk of Urbandale, Reggie (Anna) Van Wyk of Peoria, AZ, Rustan (Cindy) Van Wyk of Maryville, TN, Karmi Van Wyk of Miami, FL, and Rylan (Pam) Van Wyk of Pella; her eight grandchildren: Derrick, Jessica, Justin, Joel, Kaitlyn, Carey, Logan, and Alex Van Wyk; her brother Clarence (Luella) Van Englehoven; and her brothers-in-law Silvan Jay (Gina) Van Wyk and Dennis Van Wyk.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her infant brother Gerald Paul. She had a deep and abiding faith in the Lord and was a devout member of the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella.
