"Please accept my Condolence, May God Almighty of Tender Mercies Comfort the Van Dyke Family (2 Co.1:3,4). When the last Enemy strikes grief maybe Great And make the Heart yearn For Comfort, God Almighty of Tender Mercies gives HOPE And PROMISE, All those in the memorial tombs will COME OUT (John 5:28), He will wipe OUT Every tear from their eyes And Death will be NO MORE (Revelation 21:4), God Almighty HOPE And PROMISE SOON TO BE ATTAIN. May these Thoughts be of some Comfort. For more Bible Thoughts visit @ www.jw.org. "
In loving memory of
James Van Dyke
December 7, 1948 - July 28, 2015
James "Jim" Christopher Van Dyke was born December 7, 1948; the 2nd of two sons born to Chris & Gertrude Marie (Hannah) Van Dyke in Hampton, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm and due to this knew the value of hard work; helping his parents with daily chores while attending Hampton High School where he graduated in 1967. While working on the farm, studying for his classes he also lettered in football and track and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Jim met the love of his life, Joanne Paulsen one chilly night at a high school basketball game. He told his buddies, "I am going to marry that girl." And like so many things in Jim's life, once he set his mind to it he accomplished it. Jim and Joanne were married on August 23, 1969. Jim spent a year at Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls just prior to their marriage, then headed off to Iowa State University.
After a year at Iowa State, Jim signed up for the Iowa National Guard as Viet Nam war raged. Jim and Joanne moved back to their hometown so that Joanne could be close to family while Jim was away doing his civic duty and Jim came back to farming with his parents. While he was away at boot camp at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Robert James Van Dyke was born, October 1, 1970. The young family farmed with Jim's father until 1984, when the farm crisis hit their farm along with so many others. Jim made the decision that it was time for him to complete the degree that he started so many years before and once again setting his mind to it, he moved his family to Ames Iowa and Iowa State University where he completed his degree in Management Information Systems in 1986.
After completing his degree, Jim was very busy with many different business ventures offering computer consulting and networking to many different businesses and organizations. One of his fondest accomplishments was his part in helping establish the computer network of the Department of Natural Resources. Jim's ability to do high quality work quickly and efficiently along with his amazing people skills had him in high demand, with that in mind the business of Van Dyke Computers and Consulting was created in 1999. This new venture included his son, Rob and Jim mentioned how proud and happy he was that he had this opportunity to work so closely every day with his son. The business has morphed into the current day ICS Advanced Technologies, which is now is in its fourteenth year with 43 employees. Jim was a proud entrepreneur who knew what it was to succeed, fail, get back up and succeed again. He was a strong, fun man; a straight shooter who gave his best.
Jim was a member of the Ames Elks Lodge, the Ames Moose Lodge where he was a past Governor, A former member of the Morning Club in Des Moines and cherished the many friends he met through these organizations.
Family was always the most important thing to Jim and he rarely missed a family gathering if he could help it. The light of his life was his granddaughter Hannah. Jim shared many of his favorite things with his loved ones and has shared his passion for bike riding and swimming with Hannah. Among Jim's many passions were pedal biking, motorcycling, photography, as is shown by the thousands of pictures on his computer, camping, cooking, golfing, cheering on the Cyclones and spending time with friends and family. Jim worked hard and played hard.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Gertrude Van Dyke and his niece, Erin Van Dyke.
Left to remember and celebrate his life are his wife, Joanne; his son Rob and wife Katina of Ames; his precious granddaughter Hannah; brother Doug & wife Vicky of Boone, brother-in-law Dick Paulsen and his wife Sharon of Hampton; nephews Jason Van Dyke, Rich and Ron Paulsen, nieces Anissa Rudnyckyj and Jessica Miller, his friends, and his precious work family at ICS and the rest of you who knew and cared for Jim. May he rest in peace.
A gathering of friends and family will be 2- 5:00 p.m. Sunday Aug 2, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way in Ames with a funeral at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug 3, at First United Methodist Church 6th and Kellogg in Ames.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I always loved seeing Jim at our conferences and events. He never failed to bring a smile to my face. As a member of our organization, IMCC, he was always supportive and kind. I am so sad to hear that he is no longer with us. Thinking of you all during your time of loss."
"Joanne, Rob and the ICS Family,
Our deepest condolences on your loss. Jim was a great guy to work with and learn from.
With great sorrow, Rod"
"Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of sadness."
"Joanne, Rob, Katrina & Hannah - So sorry to hear about your loss, I know how it hurts! Jim was a great guy with a huge heart for friends and family. He embraced life, and I know you all feel blessed to have been his family."
"Joanne, Accept my sincere sympathy to you and your son and his family. There are many caring thoughts and prayers sent your way. Take care of yourself."
"Joanne my prayers & thoughts are with you & family. He was a very special man, I remember his wonderful laughter & playfulness."
"Joanne,
You have my deepest condolences! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for strength and peace."
"So sorry for your loss..."
"Joanne and Rob, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Jim will always be remembered for his very loud and demanding voice of athority. But he will also be remembered for his great deal of generosity to all of the people he ever met! He will truly be missed by all that knew him!"
"Doug, Vicky and Jason, I only met Jim once when he came to the bank in LeRoy. I sensed that he was a lot like his brother. I know how much you loved him Doug. So sorry to all the family."
"Our hearts are heavy with Jim's passing!! We will forever treasure the fun memories of golf, lunches and tailgates!! Prayers and hugs to you all!! "
"Jeff and I feel blessed to have had Jim and Joanne in our lives. Jim was a great friend. we will forever be grateful for that friendship and the fun and laughter he brought to our lives. "
"Joanne,Rob,Katina,& Hannah, our hearts go out to you on the loss of Jim. He truly was one in a million and will be greatly missed. "