Dorothy Curtis ’42 Dykema
Dorothy Curtis ’42 Dykema, 97, of St. Charles, Mich., passed away on March 16, 2018, at Hoyt Nursing Home, Saginaw after a brief illness.
She was born January 2, 1921, in New London, CT, to Stanley and Lena Curtis. Dorothy grew up in Holland, Michigan, where she graduated from Holland High School in 1938 and from Hope College in 1942 with a teaching degree. She taught second grade at Lindberg Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan for six years before marrying Harold J. Dykema on July 22, 1948, in Holland, Michigan.
He preceded her on June 5, 2008.
Dorothy was always involved in church and community activities in the different cities the family lived in; Okemos, Wyoming, Grayling and finally St. Charles moving here in 1966. Dorothy returned to teaching second and fourth grades at Miller Elementary School, retiring after 25 years. Later she had an enjoyable 10 years of living in Miller School, when it was made into Union Court Assisted Living. In Dorothy’s retirement she enjoyed being a volunteer teacher at Pioneer School at Hartley Outdoor Education Center.
Dorothy leaves behind her loving children and spouse, Nancy (Rik) Danburg, Brian Dykema and Mark Dykema; grandchildren,Curtis (Danielle) and Jarrid (Kristina) Danburg, Jeff (Tatiane) Dykema, Jon (Rachel) Dykema and Aaron Dykema; seven great grandchildren; sistersin-
law, Berniece Dykema and Fran (Wesley) Vryhof and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded by her parents, brother, Robert S. Curtis; sister, Caryl Van Houten and brothers-in-law, Art Van Houten and Alvin Dykema.
Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8, 2018, at St. Charles United Methodist Church, 301 W. Belle Ave., St.
Charles. Linda Kube will officiate with burial in Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland at a later date.
The family will receive visitors at the church from 1 p.m. until time of service. The family requests that donations can be made, in lieu of flowers, to the St. Charles District Library for their new building fund.