Adriana Dykstra

ROCK VALLEY, IOWA ~ Adriana Dykstra, 90, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley.

   Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025, at First Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa with Rev. Harlan De Jong officiating. A luncheon will follow at Faith Reformed Church. Interment service will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church with a procession to Valley View Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the church website at www.rvfrc.org.

   Adriana (Ady) Van Driel Dykstra was born to Gertrude and Abe Van Driel on Nov. 17, 1934, in Rock Valley, Iowa. She attended the Rock Valley Christian School, working after school and during the summer at the City Café, operated by her parents. Ady spoke of standing on pop crates to reach the sink to wash dishes and early morning work of filling lunch boxes for railroad workers and highway crews. Like her mother, she learned to work hard and be an excellent cook.

   Adriana and Dewey Dykstra were married on November 19, 1951. During the early years of their marriage Dewey served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg and Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas where their daughter Marla was born. During these years they developed lifelong friendships with other military couples. Sadly, several years later twin daughters Chery Joan and Carol Joyce were born prematurely and did not survive. Duane joined the family next, followed by Bradley. Ten years later the family was joined by one more son, Todd.

   Ady worked as a nurse’s aide for 25+ years at Valley Manor, now known as Whispering Heights. When she retired, she and Dewey began a new chapter serving as the custodians at the First Reformed Church. They took great pride in the work they did there. After Dewey passed away in 2008, Todd suggested that Ady become involved in the Foster Grandparent Program in the Rock Valley Community School District. The suggestion was a good one and Ady thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent with some of the youngest students.

   Throughout the years Ady and Dewey formed a great team on remodeling projects. In addition to enjoying crafts and crocheting afghans and baby blankets, Ady proved capable at re-upholstering furniture. Family members all had favorite food requests which Ady gladly honored (Duane – strawberry pie, Brad – fried chicken, Todd – frozen fruit cups with NO bananas). She spent countless hours helping and playing games with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ady was most comfortable with family in her home, but with a little push enjoyed traveling. A highlight was a trip to Europe with Dewey which included a stop in the Netherlands to visit Dykstra relatives. Ady always enjoyed the vacations to Spirit Lake and Lewis and Clark Lake with the entire family.

   Later in life Ady was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease but she was determined to remain as active and involved as possible. In 2017 she decided her symptoms had progressed to the point she needed the care provided at Whispering Heights. Her family is grateful for the care she received there and from Dr. Crowe, especially during the last weeks of her life.

   Ady is survived by her daughter, Marla (Rick) Stoops; sons, Duane (Terri) Dykstra, and Brad (Jackie) Dykstra; daughter-in-law, Monica Dykstra; and sister-in-law, Viola Van Driel. Grandchildren include Travis Dykstra, Brittany (Dykstra) Arrington, Sarah Dykstra, Matthew Stoops, Jordan Dykstra, Erica (Dykstra) Van Surksum, and Zach Dykstra. Ady had 16 great-grandchildren and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dewey; daughters, Carol and Cheryl; and son, Todd; as well as sister, Lillian Draayer; brother-in-law, Ed Draayer; and brother, Peter J Van Driel.