Our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Henrietta (Miedema, Flikkema) VanDyke, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 30, 2007 at the age of 93.

Henrietta was born to Alex and Hilda (Polstra) Miedema on November 8, 1913 in Englewood, Illinois, and grew up in Raymond, Minnesota, Hammond, Indiana, and the majority of the time in Lansing, Illinois.

She married Peter Flikkema on November 17, 1942 in Dyer, Indiana. After his death on May 28, 1957, she courageously raised her five children, ages fourteen to seven. She continued to farm in the Anceney area.

She was an active member of the Christian Reformed Church of Manhattan, Montana during her years of living in the Gallatin Valley. She served many years in the Dorcas Guild. When her children were grown she served a few years at Elim School for Handicapped Children in Palos Heights, Illinois. Upon returning to Manhattan, she lived once again on the farm until moving to Churchill, Montana in 1976.

Henrietta married John Van Dyke of Holland Marsh, Ontario, Canada, on October 22, 1980. For a short time, they lived six months in Montana and six months in Ontario until finally settling in Sandy Cove, Ontario and Bradford, Ontario, Canada. In 1985, they moved cross-country to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and made their home there. She gained three stepsons, Bob (Barb) VanDyke of Phoenix, Arizona; Sid (Hedy-deceased) VanDyke, and Andrew (Cory) VanDyke, both of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. She remained in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada after John's death in October 26, 1992. Her final years were spent in the Raymond Care Facility in Raymond, Alberta, Canada.

She loved her life in Montana and always wanted to return to the mountains. She loved baking, entertaining others, her flowers, and reciting poetry to her family. She had a gentle spirit and was loved by all who knew her. We will miss her, but all glad she is released from an earthly body that could no longer remember or do the things she always loved to do. Now she rejoices!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Hilda Polstra, husbands, Peter Flikkema, John Van Dyke; brother, Anon Miedema, sister, Grace Flikkema, and a great-grandchild, Michael Peter Kenney.
Henrietta is survived by her five children, Alfred (Ruth Wiersema) Flikkema of Tucson, Arizona; Maynard (Eileen (Broekema) Flikkema of Manhattan, Montana; Henry (Helene (Flikkema) Molenaar of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Marvin (Diana Linn) Flikkema of Gresham, Oregon; and Larry (Grace (Flikkema) Dyk of Manhattan, Montana. Also surviving are three stepsons, thirteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 6:30PM and 7:30PM on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 260 McGill Blvd West, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Service to be held at 7:30PM on Thursday August 2, 2007 at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, with Rev John Huizinga officiating.
Interment will be at 1:00PM on Monday, August 6, 2007 at the Churchill, Montana Cemetery followed by a Memorial Services at 2:00PM at the Manhattan Christian Reformed Church.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Immanuel Christian Elementary School, 2010 - 5 Ave North, Lethbridge, AB T1H 0N5.