Vernon “Pinky” Van Wyk, 87, of Grinnell, died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A funeral service was held on his birthday, Tuesday, May 20, at Grinnell Christian Church. Pallbearers were his grandchildren. Interment was in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Memorials may be designated to the Vernon Van Wyk Memorial Fund mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Vernon Wesley Van Wyk was born May 20, 1937, in Lynnville, to Wilburn Halsey and Frances Vivian (Kooistra) Van Wyk. Vernon was raised in Sully and graduated from Sully High School with the Class of 1955.
Vernon was married to Lois Ann Wehrle and together they had four children: Nancy, Curt, Mark, and Ruth. Their marriage later ended in divorce. Vernon was united in marriage to Loretta Joyce Penick on May 25, 1971, in Las Vegas, NV. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Marcy and Wes.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Vernon built a successful career in business, including founding and operating Van Wyk Freight Lines in Grinnell. His professional accomplishments were matched only by his deep faith, his enduring friendships, and his love for his family.
Known for his generosity, outgoing spirit, and boundless energy, Vernon had a gift for conversation and made friends everywhere he went. He enjoyed hunting, traveling, family gatherings, and meeting up with friends for coffee every Wednesday. One of his greatest joys was participating in the WHO Great Iowa Tractor Ride where he forged lasting friendships and shared his passion for tractors.
Above all, Vernon dearly loved his wife, Loretta, cherished his family—especially his grand-children—and lived a life grounded in faith, love, and community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 53 years, Loretta Van Wyk of Grinnell; his children, Nancy (Dennis) Van Genderen of Sully and their children, Travis (Melissa) Van Genderen and Lia (Scott) Von Busch; Mark (Liz) Van Wyk of Urbandale, and their children, SaraBeth (Zaz) Soetmelk and Dallas Van Wyk; Curt Van Wyk of Hinton and his children, Holly Choquette, Carrie (Andrew) Sitz, Joel (Kelsey) Van Wyk, and Janey (Danny) Beaubien; Ruth (Jim) Van Soelen of Sully and their children, Maria (Johnnie) Bogaards and Amber (Shawn) Van Ryswyk; and Marcy (Jason) Haddrell of Grinnell and her children, Samantha (Ben) Goodrich, Jessica (Jake) Johnson, and Danielle (Bryce) Leshen; 25 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; three step-great-grandchildren; his siblings, Louise (Jim) Walling of Austin, TX, and Bruce (Marg) Van Wyk of Colorado Springs, CO; and his nieces and nephews.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; son, Vernon Wesley “Wes” Van Wyk in 1991; grandson, Kyle Wesley Moore in 2015; and siblings, Lois Draayer and Barbara Johnson.
