Dorothy Mae Van Wyk

Dorothy Mae Van Wyk, 85, of Monroe, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at Nelson Manor in Newton.  A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 17 at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City.  Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 16 at the church. Memorials can be directed to the First Reformed Church and condolences may be left for the family at coburnfuneralhomes.com.

The daughter of Ernest and Mazie (Elrod) Wagner, Dorothy was born June 22, 1935, on the farm near Monroe. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1953 and attended Central College for one year. On Sept. 10, 1955, she was united in marriage to Wilmer “Bill” Van Wyk at the Methodist Church in Monroe. Dorothy was a member of the First Reformed Church in Prairie City, where she was very active in many committees. She had a pleasant spirit and always greeted you with a smile. Dorothy had a passion for young children and was a Sunday school teacher for 2 and 3-year-olds for 15 years. She also was a member of the Monroe Women’s Club and the Gideon Auxiliary. Dorothy enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers. Canning her produce was always the way she ended each summer. Her greatest joy was her family. She loved attending the many activities of her grandchildren.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Donna (Bob) Carhill, Jerry (Brenda) Van Wyk, Brenda (Wayne) Burns, Lori (Ken) Kizer and Brian (Kelly) Van Wyk; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.  Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Bill in 2017; and a brother, Harold Wagner.