Marlene Van Wyk, 90, of Newton, died Oct. 11, 2023. Funeral was at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, at Sully First Reformed Church preceded by visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Memorials have been designated by the family to purchase a memorial bench in her honor and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Marlene Ruth Van Wyk was born Aug. 23, 1933, near Otley. She was the first of two children born to Abram L. and Gertrude C. (Bogaards) Dykstra on the Dykstra family farm.
She moved to Pella when she was three years old and attended Lincoln Elementary School. She graduated from Pella High School with the Class of 1951.
Marlene met Gilbert Van Wyk before he entered the reserves in 1953, then dated in 1955 after he returned from Korea. Following high school, Marlene worked at Pella Rolscreen as a stenographer. Feb. 15, 1957, she was united in marriage to Gilbert at Third Reformed Church in Pella. To this union they were blessed with two children: Denise Kay and Loran Eugene. Marlene enjoyed raising her family and helping her husband on the farm.
Marlene loved weekend outings with the family and vacations with family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing days, 4-H, Just Us Neighbors Club, and card parties with friends. Recently, she was blessed to be able to attend her granddaughter’s wedding.
Marlene was a member of Sully First Reformed Church where she was active in Golden Hour and Circle, and teaching Sunday school.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Gilbert and their family: Denise (David) Roose of Pella and Loran (Pat) Van Wyk of Newton; two grandchildren Andrea Van Wyk and Erica (Joe) Pepe. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn (Robert) Van Dyke; and siblings-in-law Orville (Vi) Van Wyk, Gary (Deen) Van Wyk, and Margaret Ann Coop; and many nieces and nephews.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law Henry G. and Clara Van Wyk, sister-in-law Mildred Bogaards, brother-in-law Newton K. Coop, and four nieces and nephews.
Marlene recently enjoyed celebrating her 90th birthday party and was fortunate to be able to worship with her church family at Sully First Reformed Church.
