For 36 years Henry Dykema served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. Strong, enthusiastic and eager to tackle anything and everything, it is said that when he made a pastoral visit he often arrived with a Bible in one hand and a tool box in the other. He was a good storyteller. “He was a ‘hands on’ grandpa,” said one of his grandchildren. After living with Alzheimer’s disease for six years, Dykema died July 12. He was 81.
In 1948, at age 10, Dykema immigrated to the U.S. from the Netherlands. He later graduated from Calvin College (now University) and Seminary and was ordained in 1965.
After serving as a missionary in Guam for 12 years, Dykema pastored the following Christian Reformed congregations: Decatur (Mich.); Maple Avenue, Holland, Mich.; Bravo Community, Fennville, Mich.;, and Hollandale (Minn.). After retirement in 2001, he served as an interim pastor in Wheaton, Ill., and Paw Paw, Mich. He was then director of the Ditto retail store, an organization benefiting Christian schools in Holland, Mich., for several years.
Predeceased by son Mark in 2013, Dykema is survived by Cora, his wife of 60 years; four children and spouses; a daughter-in-law; and eight grandchildren.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
