ELKHORN – After a short illness, our dad Alan Van Dyke, went home to his Savior on June 9, 2024. He was born July 12,1941 in Hinsdale, IL. His early childhood was spent in Illinois with trips to the Walworth County area to visit relatives on their farms which prompted his dad to move their family to Wisconsin to try their hands at dairy farming. He loved sports and was looking forward to playing football at Elkhorn High School when they settled in the Spring Prairie area before his dad decided his help was needed more at the farm. He met our mom, Joanne Los, at church during a Young People’s event in high school and after a year away at UW-Madison he married her on August 17,1960. They continued farming in the Burlington and Spring Prairie areas until the family farm was sold and he became a mechanic at Petrie Truck Rental. After some years there our dad opened his own place which he owned and operated until March of 2024 when he finally retired at 82, fixing cars and helping people for over 40 years. His shop was his ministry and so many people were blessed by his kindness and generosity over the years.
When dad wasn’t working, you would find him on a golf course. He loved his Tuesday Evergreen Men’s League and going out every day he could whether by himself, or with his kids, grandkids, or other family and friends. Dad also played softball for a number of years and was in a bowling league. He always said he was in better shape than any of us, and this was true past the age of 80.
Dad was a volunteer with the Elkhorn-Area Ambulance for over 25 years and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan.
His heart, though, was with the youth group at the Delavan Christian Reformed Church. For more years than we can count he helped to lead this and his favorite activity was the winter retreat every January that he would take the kids to. Even at 81 he went and continued to play goalie in broomball on the ice. Our mom would always say. “You better not come home hurt,” and some years there were injuries but he loved it. He went on summer missions trips with this group and would even make sure to follow the kids in their school activities whether it be sports or musicals, he would make it a point to see it all.
Our dad was an elder and deacon for many years at DCRC and he taught Catechism and Sunday School faithfully. He also sang in the church choir, praise team, and in a men’s quartet; his church was his life.
Our dad was an example to the entire community of how to live a good, fun, full life. We adopted the slogan, #BeLikeAl (much to his dismay) because we know our dad is an example to us all of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He led quietly and never needed or wanted a thank you.
Our dad loved his grandkids, and attended as many of their events as he could. He loved to brag about what they were doing, how smart they were, or how many points they scored in a game to anyone who would ask.
We (Sue & Curt, Mark & Lisa, Laura & Gary, Jen, and Megan) will miss him but we know where he is, and we know with certainty he was told, “well done thy good and faithful servant.” Dad is also survived by his 22 grandchildren he adored, Adam (Holly), Erick (Bekah), Kaitlyn (David), Emily (Levi), Abigail (Tim), Suzanne (Paul), Alida, Noah (Sabrina), Isabella (Jacob), Lorien, Alan, Olivia, Jacob, Taylor (Justin), Joshua (Morgan), Alana (Keith), Alex (Madison), Ethan (Alexandra), Justin (Kaitlyn), Erik, Maddy, and Carly. He was also blessed to have 17 great-grandchildren, Evie, Braxton, Mckenzie, Elizabeth, Samuel, Soren, Stella, Jude, Graham, Hope, Brooks, Collins, Myla, Lainey, Rilynne, Khari, and Kennedi.
Our dad is further survived by his siblings, Harry (Carol), Chuck, Jean, Peter (Daniel), Melinda (Bob), along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dad was preceded in death by our mom Joanne, his parents, Harry Sr. and Henrika, a nephew, Nicholas Mark, sister-in-law, Elaine Hamilton, sister-in-law, Mary Van Dyke, and his mother-in-law, Theresa Los.
Our family wants to thank the amazing staff on the second floor of Mercy Hospital-Janesville and Mercy-Walworth, Holton Manor and Mercy Hospice for their wonderful care of our dad and papa.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. at the Delavan Christian Reformed Church, followed by a service at 12:00 P.M. and a luncheon directly after. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the DCRC Youth Group or Delavan Christian School
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