Mr. Arlen Van Dyke, age 62, of Orange City, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
There will be a funeral service on Thursday, April 17, at 10:00 am, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City, with Rev. Mark Haverdink, Rev. Jeffrey Whitt, and Kraig Van Dyke officiating. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City.
Visitation will be after 5:00 pm on Wednesday, with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, which is in charge of the services for 62-year old Arlen Van Dyke of Orange City.
Arlen was born in Orange City on January 4, 1952, the son of Arie and Rena (Roorda) Van Dyke. He was a lifelong resident of Orange City.
He married Dee Ann Debbink of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, on November 25, 1977.
Arlen was a graduate of Unity Christian High School in Orange City and Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, and a member of First Reformed Church.
He was a truck driver for Ver Steeg Trucking and Te Slaa Trucking for over 35 years. He worked hard and provided well for his family.
He enjoyed reflecting on life and God through country and gospel music that speaks to the soul; hauling the Pride of the Dutchman Marching Band trailer and chaperoning competitions; driving to car lots to go “dreaming”; maintaining a green, luscious lawn; and meeting friends to “talk shop” and drink coffee. He had a good sense of humor and knew how to tell a story. Most of all, he loved playing with his grandchildren.
He is best remembered as a man who remained faithful to the Lord and glorified God in his dying. He courageously fought a painful battle with cancer of the tongue. As the fire of affliction burned away the enjoyments of this world, he demonstrated a genuine faith in God. He spoke openly with family, friends, and medical staff about the sufficiency of God’s grace and the peace of his presence in the midst of pain. He learned that the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life, and he left us an example of what it looks like to “rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9).
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10 ESV).
He is survived by his wife, three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren, mother, siblings, and other family: daughter, Kylie Prasuhn and husband, Andrew, of Ansonia, Ohio, and their children, Trenton, Jacob, and Rebekah; daughter, Kacey McQuilkin and husband, Brian, of Rochester, Minnesota, and their children, Logan, Piper, and Wren; son, Kraig Van Dyke and wife, Sarah Beth, of Gallatin, Tennessee, and their children, Clara and Henry; mother, Rena Van Dyke of Orange City; sister, Verla Van Sloten and husband, Don, of Ireton; brother, Roger Van Dyke of Orange City; and sister, ReNae Van Voorst of Orange City.
He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Donna Mae.
