Dale Harlan Van Dyke, son of Herman and Minnie (Vander Plaats) Van Dyke, was born September 5, 1954, in Seoul, Korea. He was adopted and became a U.S. citizen in 1961.

    Dale grew up on an acreage near Hartley, Iowa. He received his early education at Sanborn Christian School in Sanborn, Iowa, completing the top grades at both Western Christian in Hull, Iowa and Hartley High School. During high school, he played football, baseball, and ran track. Following graduation, he attended Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa, where he trained to be an electrician.

    During that time, he met and married Julie, and they raised six beautiful children. Over the years, Dale worked in various fields, including trucking, electrical work, construction, and farming. He especially loved his acreage, which brought him great joy and fulfillment. His hobbies included gardening, raising rabbits and poultry, fishing, playing cards with his best friend, Kelly, and tinkering around the farm. He was a faithful member of Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn and will always be remembered for his steadfastness, faith in the Lord, perseverance, and dedication to his family. 

    Left to cherish his memory are his six children: Rachel (Brad) Meendering of Hartley, Iowa, Shannon (Devon) Mackey of Virginia, April Van Whye of Sanborn, Iowa, Jeremy (Thisbe) Van Dyke of Doon, Iowa, Ashley (Darrin) Brummel of Boyden, Iowa and Larissa Van Dyke of Melvin, Iowa; 22 grandchildren: Blake, Brody, Bryce, Brady, Aidan, Ashlyn, Liam, Caedmon, Makayla, Chris, Cassidy, Madi, Taysom, Braleigh, Bentley, Raeya, Adalyn, Maddox, Beckett, Annie, Bellamy and Boden; four great-grandchildren: Kora, Kayden, Micah and Myles; his sister, Jolene Peplau of Hawaii; other relatives and friends.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Minnie Van Dyke; his brother, Jimmy Van Dyke; and his grandson, Eli.