- Born on: May 23, 1929
- Departed on: October 20, 2020
- Resided in: Pella, IA
Raymond Gerald Van Dyk
Raymond Gerald Van Dyk was born in Lake Prairie, Iowa, on May 23, 1929, to Geurt Reindert and Wilhelmina Clauzina Van Dyk. At the age of four, the family moved to Pella and he spent the remainder of his life on the same quarter block and loved his home. After graduating from Pella High School, he served his country in the US Army in Alabama and Germany. He married Delores Roxine Smith on July 6, 1956. Above all, they treasured their daughters: Tania Rae (T. Rae) Van Dyk and husband and daughter Greg and Lydia Gibson of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sanibel Island, Florida; and Randa Lea Van Dyk and husband Mark Facile of Pella. Ray worked decades for the United States Postal Service and never took a sick day. He also drove truck for Geetings, Inc. for over 40 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Jennie (Wayne) Geetings, Johanna (Henry) Roozeboom, and brother John Anthony. He is survived by his sister Shirley (Derrill) Cook. Ray lamented he didn’t feel he had been successful. We reminded him that he and his good friend, Bill Van Zante, voluntarily constructed handmade wooden toy cars for indigent children in dozens of countries. Making 60,000 children happy is the very definition of success. Ray was in a rehab facility to help strengthen his leg following a fall. He was diagnosed with COVID on October 19, 2020 and died on October 20, 2020. Part of the blame for his death directly falls on the shoulders of Donald Trump for failing to deal with the pandemic head on and telling citizens that ‘things were fine’ and ‘it was nothing’ while reporting the opposite to interviewers. We also blame those selfish people who have refused to listen to common sense and medical science and have forsaken masks because ‘it is a hoax’ or it is ‘government intrusion’. Thanks to these failures, over 222,000 American families have had their loved ones die a miserable death all alone, with no hugs, endearments or goodbyes except those permitted through closed windows. We choose to think of him as he was before, either working in his yard or playing with his beloved Kali.
In lieu of flowers - please wear a mask.
No services planned at this time. Donations can be made for a memorial park bench at Sunken Gardens for Ray, to: Randa Van Dyk. Please pm for address.
He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Jennie (Wayne) Geetings, Johanna (Henry) Roozeboom, and brother John Anthony. He is survived by his sister Shirley (Derrill) Cook. Ray lamented he didn’t feel he had been successful. We reminded him that he and his good friend, Bill Van Zante, voluntarily constructed handmade wooden toy cars for indigent children in dozens of countries. Making 60,000 children happy is the very definition of success. Ray was in a rehab facility to help strengthen his leg following a fall. He was diagnosed with COVID on October 19, 2020 and died on October 20, 2020. Part of the blame for his death directly falls on the shoulders of Donald Trump for failing to deal with the pandemic head on and telling citizens that ‘things were fine’ and ‘it was nothing’ while reporting the opposite to interviewers. We also blame those selfish people who have refused to listen to common sense and medical science and have forsaken masks because ‘it is a hoax’ or it is ‘government intrusion’. Thanks to these failures, over 222,000 American families have had their loved ones die a miserable death all alone, with no hugs, endearments or goodbyes except those permitted through closed windows. We choose to think of him as he was before, either working in his yard or playing with his beloved Kali.
In lieu of flowers - please wear a mask.
No services planned at this time. Donations can be made for a memorial park bench at Sunken Gardens for Ray, to: Randa Van Dyk. Please pm for address.
