Reva Van Wyk, 88, of rural Grinnell passed from this life on June 4, 2015, in Grinnell. Funeral service was held June 8 at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Memorials have been designated for The Gideons.
Reva Dorothy (De Zwarte) Van Wyk was born Feb. 22, 1927, near Taintor. Her parents were Marinus J. and Maggie (Goemaat) De Zwarte. Reva was the youngest of four children. Her siblings were Leona Van Manen, Bernard De Zwarte, and Marjorie Van Genderen. Reva was married Feb. 22, 1946, on her 19th birthday to Clarence Van Wyk of Sully on his 21st birthday. They farmed near Otley and Sully until 1957, when Clarence and Reva bought their first farm south of Grinnell. There they continued to raise their family and to farm until Clarence's death Aug. 3, 1979.
Six children were blessed to this marriage: Kenneth (Sandra) Van Wyk of Byron Center, MI, with three children and nine grandchildren; Judith (Clarence) Van Zee of Lynnville with six children and 15 grandchildren; Delores (Dale) Frump of Schererville, IN, with three children and nine grandchildren; Dale (Julie) Van Wyk of Grinnell with four children and 10 grandchildren; Verlan (Sally) Van Wyk of Grinnell with four children and four grandchildren; and Marla (Randie) Blom of Milwaukee, WI, with two children and four grandchildren. Reva had a total of 22 grandchildren and 51+ great-grandchildren. Reva prayed for her family daily.
Reva is survived by her children and their families, her sister Marjorie Van Genderen, her sisters-in-law Hattie Van Wyk and Anna Paulina Van Wyk.
In addition to being a homemaker, Reva worked in the kitchen at Grinnell nursing homes. She retired from her cook and kitchen duties in 1997 at the age of 70.
Reva enjoyed gardening and growing food she shared liberally with her family and friends. She was well known for her homemade buns and apple pies. She continued on with these hobbies until she moved to Mayflower Homes in September 2013.
Reva was a member of Sully Christian Reformed Church. She was a devoted supporter of Sully Christian School and Pella Christian High School. She enjoyed participating with Gideons International helping distribute Bibles.
