Marlene DeVette ’56 Dykstra

Marlene was born September 11, 1934, the fifth child of Henry and Lillian (Pekelder) DeVette at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon. She had four siblings: Jack, Russ, Ben and Kathy. Marlene was a graduate of Muskegon High School Class of 1952 and attended Hope College. On December 29, 1956, she married Jack Louis Dykstra at Central Reformed Church in Muskegon. They had two children: Douglas and Denise. Marlene was a devout member of Central and Westwood Reformed Churches for 76 years and at the time of her death of Forest Park Covenant Church (FPCC). Marlene was active in the church choirs, was always her daughter’s favorite “Room” Mother, a volunteer at Hackley Hospital PlayLadies, the Beardsley Frauenthal Theatre, a member of the Vikings Linne Lodge #57, the Elks and Moose, Muskegon Women’s Club, FPCC “Morning Star” and Deborah’s Circle, and “Pals” Bible study at Harbour Towne. Marlene retired from JCPenney in their Muskegon store after 22 years as an associate in the Boys Department. Marlene loved the outdoors, especially Pere Marquette Beach, boating on Muskegon and Bear Lakes and being in the sun, for which her dermatologist later scolded her. Marlene truly loved life; she loved to walk, play cards, games, puzzles and read. One of her Disney puzzles was so impressive she had it framed and hung on the wall! Marlene enjoyed “Happy Hour” and sitting by the fireplace with her beloved husband Jack. She had a wonderful and fulfilling life with Jack, her children and her many, many friends, of which there are too many to mention. Marlene loved fashion and dressing to the nines fully bedecked with stunning jewelry! She is probably complaining in heaven now if anyone is wearing blues jeans to church! And, oh dear, what will we do with all her shoes and handbags? Marlene had a penchant for making friends. She was always joyful and fun to be with and people enjoyed being around her. Marlene had many happy memories and was very proud of her children’s (and their spouses) and grandchildren’s accomplishments and who they all became as adults. Marlene was an avid collector of elephant figurines and had over 200 of them from all over the world and they majestically adorned her home. She will be greatly missed by her many family and friends.
Marlene is preceded in death by her husband Jack after 51 years of marriage, her parents, parents in-law Joseph and Helen (Beddo) Dykstra, as well as brothers Jack DeVette, Russ DeVette, Ben DeVette, and sister Kathy Bremer. Survivors include her son Douglas ’80 Scott (Diana ’78) Dykstra of Alexandria, Virginia, daughter Denise Marlene Dykstra ’84 (Robert) Lamoureux of Manassas, Virginia and two grandchildren Colleen Megan Lamoureux and Jack Douglas Lamoureux, both of the U.S. Navy, her sisters-in-law Margaret (Dykstra) Hall, Mary (Dykstra) Connell, Rebecca DeVette, brother-in-law Gerald DeLoy, and several nieces and nephews.