Alvin Dykstra - Flandreau: Oct. 1, 1927 – June 16, 2012

Alvin A. Dykstra, 84, died Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Riverview Manor in Flandreau.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau. Burial is at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau with a 7 p.m. Scripture service.

He was born Oct. 1, 1927, at Springfield to Hilbrand and Grace (Barthelamew) Dykstra. He graduated from Valley Springs High School in 1945. Alvin was drafted into the United States Army on Jan. 3, 1946 and was discharged Aug. 21, 1947. He worked for David Jacobsen as a hired man and married Beverly Hicks on Nov. 28, 1953 in Sioux Falls. Alvin continued working as a hired man for various farmers until around 1956 when he started farming on his own near Rowena They moved to a farm near Ward in 1969 and farmed until retiring in 1999.

They moved into Flandreau in 2002.

Alvin enjoyed gardening, visiting family and grandkids, playing Farkle and Aggravation with relatives.

He is survived by his wife Beverly of Flandreau; six children, Allen Dykstra of Ford, Kan., Mary Clark of Flandreau, Ronald Dykstra of Newcastle, Wyo., Kathy Dykstra of Sturgis, Brian (Lana) of Brookings, Stephanie (Scott) Smith of Ellsworth, Minn.; eight grandchildren, several step-great-grandchildren; sister, Erma Knutson of Flandreau and brother, James (Mae) Dykstra of Lebanon, Mo.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Dykstra.

For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.