Arlene Dykstra - Avon

Jan. 22, 1933 - May 14, 2019

Posted

Funeral services for Arlene Dykstra are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon. Burial is in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation is at the church on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Arlene Ruby Jane Dykstra was born Jan. 22, 1933, on a farm in rural Avon. She was the 12th of 13 children of Angelus and Lydia (Hahn) Brandt. She died Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at the age of 86 in hospice care at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. 

 Arlene was baptized on Feb. 26, 1933 and confirmed on March 30, 1947. She graduated from Avon High School in 1951. 

Arlene married Louis Dykstra at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon on June 23, 1954, while Louie was home on furlough from the Korean War. They moved from the farm into Avon in 1957, where they lived in the same home until Louie’s death on January 31, 2006. Arlene continued to live there until moving to Brookings to live with her daughter and family in May of 2017. 

 Arlene was a homemaker and raised her family, then in 1976 she became an Avon “Avon Lady”.  

  Arlene was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher, the ladies serving committee and sang in the choir. She was active in the community as a member of the Firefighters Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary. She helped with the Legion Calendar for over 50 years and served meals for the Lions Club for many years. She also served on the board of the Meadow View Manor. Arlene assisted with funerals and visitations with the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home for over 25 years.

Arlene will be remembered for her strong faith, her love for her children and grandchildren, attending their activities, and her sense of humor. She enjoyed working with flowers, making large family meals, and baking, especially fresh cinnamon rolls.

 Thankful for having shared her life are her sons: Keith (Julie) of Renner, Jeff (Dana) of Pierre, Greg (Kari) of Sioux Falls, Robert (Susan) of Brandon; a daughter, Ronda (Chuck) May of Brookings; daughter-in-law Beth (Robert) Krcil of Wagner; 16 grandchildren: Robyn (Chad), Drew (Alicia), Matt (Tacey), Lance, Kristen, Chaely (Tyler), Jamie (Tanner), Josh, Lindsey, Kelsey (Dan), Sierra, Samantha, Rebecca (Tyson), Zach, Austin, Cameron, Daniel, and Connor; eight great grandchildren: Mariah, Dawson, Spencer, Lennox, Ryann, Ella, Lincoln and Tenley; brother Jim (Nadine) Brandt of St. Charles, MO; brother-in-law Hank Moerer of Minneapolis, MN; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

 Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Louie; son Steve; grandson Derrick Louis Dykstra; six brothers: John, Frederick (Betty), Eddie (Laura), Arthur, Rudolph (Joyce) and Ervin (Lena) Brandt; five sisters: Louise (Ray) Jurrens, Emma (Harm) Wheelhouse, Leatta (Weldon, Norm) Spomer, Elsie (Elton) Goehring, and Leona Moerer.