Patricia Ann Van Wyk

Patricia Ann Van Wyk (Vander Hoek), age 82, of Pella, Iowa went to her eternal home with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 31, 2022.  She was born to Arie and Christina (Vanden Heuvel) Vander Hoek on November 1, 1939.  She will be welcomed in Heaven by her daughter, Jacquelyn (Jackie) Gosnell, her parents, Arie and Christina Vander Hoek, her brothers: Arlie Vander Hoek and his wife, Janie, William Vander Hoek and his wife, Mildred, her sister, Luella and her husband, Wilbur Van Ryswyk, and many other beloved family members.

Patsy (as known by her classmates) grew up on a farm in Fairmount, Iowa.  She made her profession of faith at an early age for Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.  She attended Monroe Schools in Monroe, Iowa and graduated in 1958.  She was an excellent singer and was offered a scholarship to sing after high school but declined. Pat went to American Institute of Business (AIB) for the summer, and then married Kenneth Wayne Van Wyk on September 28, 1958.  Following their marriage, they moved briefly to Iowa City, Iowa where Pat worked and Kenneth attended training at the university hospital in x-ray technology. They then moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1959 where Pat was baptized when she was 20 years old.  Pat was a miracle worker when it came to making ends meet when living in St. Louis, living in a small house trailer.   Things were much different then with a hospital bill and delivery fee for their first daughter, Jacquelyn, for a combined fee of $200!  Throughout her time in St. Louis, she worked several jobs:  Disabled American Veterans, babysitting, secretarial work for the President of Logan College, and ironing.  Her jobs also included selling Prestige China door to door, selling enough to afford a china set of her own.  Pat and Ken moved to Pella in 1962 and by 1970, she had five children under age 11: Jacquelyn, Alexander, Rhonda, Douglas, and Tonya.  Pat kept busy in local church activities, both teaching and directing Bible and Sunday School. 

Pat excelled at almost everything she did.  She was a mover and a shaker and knew how to get things done.  Pat was an amazing interior designer and was well ahead of her time.  After completing a whole-house addition and renovation, she was offered a job as an interior designer that she respectfully declined.  Instead, Pat opened her own business, Pat’s Wigs, and was featured in the July,1969 Ladies Home Journal Magazine.  Pat also worked side-by-side with her husband, Dr. Kenneth Van Wyk, at Van Wyk Chiropractic Center for many years utilizing her many talents including bookkeeping, office management, and staff training in several clinics in different cities at the same time.  Pat traveled with her husband attending many seminars across the country while growing his practice.  Pat also found time to be involved in the Iowa Chiropractic Society Ladies Auxiliary and served a term as president.   

Pat was the most loving mother. Despite her busy schedule, her children were her passion and delight. She cared and dearly loved EACH one like they were her ONLY one.  She loved gardening, was an amazing chef, loved to laugh and had a contagious smile.  Her incredible sense of humor, no matter what the circumstances, made being in her presence a joy! 

Pat is survived by: her husband, Dr. Kenneth Van Wyk of Pella; Her four children and families: Dr. Alex and Sharon (Hintermeister)) Van Wyk of Altoona, IA; Rhonda Hill of Forest, VA; Doug and Heather (Heiting) Van Wyk of Burnsville, MN; Anna and Samson Moore; Jake Van Wyk; Jessie Van Wyk; Tonya and Mark Headlee of Grimes, IA; Alexa Headlee; Kaleb Headlee.

The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for Pat over the last few years.  The family gives Pat’s caring companions and everyone else who cared for Pat their greatest and warmest gratitude.