Nancy J. Van Dyke

NANCY JEAN VAN DYKE was born on Tuesday, November 18, 1958 to Gerben and Wilma (De Zeeuw) Van’t Hul in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was raised on a farm outside of town. She was baptized on December 7, 1958 at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls. In 1963, she and her family moved to a farm near Jasper, Minnesota, for six years and then to a farm near Leota, Minnesota. Growing up, she enjoyed playing house and dress-up with her siblings as well as exploring with them down by the creek. She also spent many hours riding horse with her cousin, Mark, and playing with the family dog, Pepper. Nancy revealed a love of music from a young age, and she often sang with her sister, Linda. She had fond memories of playing Maria in the musical, The Sound of Music, at her high school. She was also part of the dance team and sang in the choir. At the age of 16, Nancy professed her faith at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. She attended and graduated from Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton, Minnesota, in 1976. She furthered her education at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, where she studied social work and sang in concert choir. After Dordt, she served as the assistant activities director at Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton from 1977 to 1979. On March 21, 1978, Nancy was united in marriage to Milo Van Dyke at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church. The couple made their home in Edgerton until 1981, when they moved to the family farm between Leota and Chandler, Minnesota to help with the newly constructed dairy. The couple was blessed with a daughter and two sons. Nancy served as a music teacher at Leota Christian for several years and taught private vocal lessons. In 1987, she became the office manager for Van Dyke Grinding Company. Although Nancy always said she would never marry a farmer and would never be a secretary, she loved her husband and the life she was blessed with, and she excelled in her leadership with the business.

Nancy was a member of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church where she sang in choir and was a part of ladies’ morning Bible study, Couples’ Club, and Sunday evening couples’ Bible study. Singing was a huge part of her life. She sang with Al Opland Singers, and in more recent years, sang in many area churches with her husband, Milo. She and Milo also ministered regularly at the Cornerstone Prison Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, developing a deep love for and friendship with many of the inmates. She loved camping and traveling with her husband, family, and friends. Nancy was tenderhearted. She loved her kids and grandkids and was very affectionate with her family. She laughed a lot, often until tears streamed down her cheeks, and her family gave their all to elicit and share in that laughter with her. Nancy was full of encouragement and could always be counted on to pray for her kids and offer sound counsel to them. She had a very strong sense of justice and defended those who she felt were mistreated. She was a woman of conviction who was firm and sincere in her faith. She loved deep, meaningful conversations. Nancy will be remembered for her faith, for her integrity, and for her deep love for others.

Nancy was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2020. She battled hard to the very end. She lived her life to the very fullest until her last breath. She spent her last days encouraging others with scripture, song, and prayer. She knew she was loved of the Lord and, in turn, sought with the Spirit’s help to love and obey Jesus with her whole heart, soul, body, and strength. She was particularly anxious that her children, grandchildren, and all those she knew would know Christ as their Lord and Savior from their sins. On Monday, February 13, 2023, while at HonorHealth Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, Nancy went to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 64 years, two months, and 25 days.

She is lovingly survived by her husband, Milo, of nearly 45 years; daughter, Felicia (Bennett) Drenth of Hollandale, Minnesota; two sons, Jeremy (Sarah) Van Dyke of Adrian, Minnesota, and Brant (Stephanie) Van Dyke of Luverne, Minnesota; seven grandkids, Madelyn and Dawson Drenth (of Felicia & Bennett), Mikaiah and Ellia Van Dyke (of Jeremy & Sarah), and Kaydence, Raleigh and Blair (of Brant & Stephanie); three siblings, Sharon (Bob) Nyhuis of Oostburg, Wisconsin, Roger (Donna) Van’t Hul of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Linda (Leland) Vanderaa of Edgerton, Minnesota; and mother-in-law, Marcella Van Dyke of Edgerton, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerben and Wilma Van’t Hul; father-in-law, Henry Van Dyke; brother-in-law, Wayne Vander Waal; and sister-in-law, Judy Stroeh.