Obituary of Terry Lee Van Dyke

    When Terry was born on March 17, 1954, on a farm near Hartley, Iowa, Dr. Sweeney thought his name should be Patrick after St. Patrick’s Day. But his parents, John and June Van Dyke, picked the name Terry Lee instead. Terry was the 4th child born to the Van Dyke’s. He grew up on the farm six miles north of Hartley, and then in the town of Sanborn, living in several different houses. He attended Sanborn Christian Grade School and Western Christian High School. Terry was a baptized and professing member of the Christian Reformed Church in Sanborn, Iowa.     

    Terry’s work in life centered around driving. He was a milk hauler for the Sanborn Creamery for several years, then traded in his milk truck for a cement truck, working for Joe’s Ready Mix (later known as GCC) out of Sanborn.

    Throughout his life, Terry had enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and collecting scrap metals. For several summers, he also played on a slow-pitch softball team from Sanborn. Joining his brother, Larry, in the pit for Doc Zeutenhorst’s stock car at Rapids Speedway, Terry was known to simply lift the car up when it needed new tires! Since he loved to hunt, he was very involved with the O’Brien County Sportsman Club, serving as president for several years. Terry never met a dog he didn’t like – that applied to most people as well. He enjoyed sitting with folks, listening to their stories and telling them.

    On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Terry passed away at the Correctionville Specialty Care Facility in Correctionville, Iowa.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and June Van Dyke; sister-in-law, Ellen Van Dyke; nieces: Jessica Loomans and Amanda Van Dyke (in infancy); nephew-in-law, Jim Mayrose; and a great-nephew, Craig Van Dyke.

    He is survived by five siblings: Larry and Brenda Van Dyke of Sioux Center, Iowa, Karen and Lonnie Van Meeteren of Sheldon, Iowa, Tom and Helen Van Dyke of Sheldon, Iowa, Joy and Rob Bock of Allen, Nebraska, Janie Van Dyke of Orange City, Iowa; 17 nieces and nephews; 43 great-nieces and nephews; four great-great-nieces and nephews; his uncle and aunts: Raymond and Phyllis Elgersma, and Beverly Elgersma all of Sanborn, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials will be given to SYC, (Special Youth Challenges),

a non-profit faith-based organization that provides no-cost guided hunting

for youth with special challenges or adult disabled Veterans