Thomas Alvin Dykstra enjoyed 91 ½ years with those he knew and loved. Our Heavenly Father decided it was time to call him home on Friday, September 16th, 2011.
Tom was born on March 31st, 1920 at their home in Morrison, Illinois, to Emma (Laman) and Hugo Dykstra. He was educated in the Morrison, Green Valley Country Schools.
Tom married the love of his life, Elizabeth Boonstra on January 31, 1945. Tom was the eldest son of Hugo and Emma and was deferred from military service to work on the family farm. Tom loved to work, and work very hard is exactly what he did as he continued to farm until the year, 2000, when he retired at the age of 81.
Tom lost Elizabeth on October 20th, 1994. He moved to Fulton from the farm in 2000. To help keep him busy he continued to work with his, "adopted daughter" Barb Suehl-Janis with her real estate business. Tome truly enjoyed putting up signs, uncovering septic systems, taking ads to the newspaper etc. Tom joined the Fulton Kiwanis Club and was the Club's President in 2002. Performing community service gave him so much delight.
Tom will be greatly missed by Barb, her husband, Leonard, and their children, Fred, Wendy and "little Nate, Brent Amanda, Helena, Paige & Cody Fisher, Kathy and Terek Farmer and of course, Al his pal, and Barbs sister Jane Brown and daughter Tracy (Ben) Freese & family.
Also surviving Tom is his brother Bob Dykstra, and his family, Carol & Dennis Wilson, Beth and Rick Poen & their families who always made time to visit and write to him. Ken (Sue) Hartman, Eileen (Mike) Holler, his special nieces and nephews that lived with Tom and Elizabeth for several years. Tom is also survived by many other nieces and nephews. A very special thank you from Barb to nephew Kevin and niece Julie Boonstra for always making their Uncle Tom someone very special in their lives.
Tom wanted to be cremated, and that request was honored with love and compassion by Tina Lemke and Mike Goddard at Lemke Funeral Homes – Clinton Iowa. A memorial service honoring Tom and his life will be held Saturday, September 24th, at 10:00am at Lemke Funeral Home – South Chapel – located at 2610 Manufacturing drive, Clinton, Iowa. Officiating the service will be Rev. Tom Merchant. Charles Dykstra, a long time friend of Tom, will be vocalist for the service. Tom was a member of The First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton for over 50 years. He was a former elder in the church as well.
Tom will be buried next to his wife, Elizabeth, in the Fulton Cemetery.

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