01/10/2010
A Life Remembered….
Barbara Joyce (Stevenson) Dykstra was born on April 1, 1958, in Knoxville, Iowa to Gene and Helen Brooks Stevenson.
She attended elementary school in Attica and Twin Cedars and graduated from Knoxville
High School in 1976 and then went to Iowa State University. Barbara was married
to Dan Dykstra on September 26, 1981, at the Methodist Church in Knoxville.
They were blessed with two children: Danelle and Kyle.
Barbara was a hard worker not only on the family dairy farm where she helped daily,
but also away from home working at the Knoxville High School, for 15 years as a
bookkeeper for Jeff Butler Chiropractic and for the last 11 years worked at the
ENT Clinic in West Des Moines.
Growing up she was active in 4-H showing calves and her seamstress skills were very
impressive. As her own children grew she encouraged them to participate and grow
in 4-H activities. Barbara took pride in a job well done. She was also an active
member in the Milo United Methodist Church.
She always thought of everyone before herself and never knew a stranger. She enjoyed her flower gardens and was very
crafty making many things for her family. She especially enjoyed making ceramics.
Most of all she loved her family.
Barbara passed away on January 10, 2010, at her home.
She was preceded in death by her
father Gene; father-in-law Bob; and sister-in-law Linda Dykstra. She is survived
by her husband Dan Dykstra; children: Danelle (Rick) Wade, and Kyle Dykstra; her
mother Helen Stevenson, a brother Rick (Tamra) Stevenson; mother-in-law Juanita
Dykstra; brother-in-law Dwayne (Sandi) Dykstra; many nieces and nephews, relatives
and friends.