Bernadine Dykema

Mrs. Bernadine Mae Dykema, age 97, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, April 23, 2017. She was born on November 18th, 1919, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Henry Holt and Elda Matilda (Smith) Walsworth. Bun graduated from Muskegon High School and received her RN nursing diploma from Hackley Hospital School of Nursing in 1940. During her last year of nursing school, she met Tom Dykema. They eloped and were married in Big Spring, Texas on November 5th, 1944. Bun worked as an RN at Hackley Hospital following her graduation, and in Dr's Lauren, Ryan, Wiersma, and Bates office during WWII. After her marriage, she took several years off to raise her family. She was very active in her church, Covenant Community, of which she was a faithful member for over 60 years. Bun very willingly gave her time serving her church, and her children's school functions whenever needed. In her later years, she worked at Knollview Manor, Med Pool, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels with Tom, Supper House, and for Hospice for 15 years. Bun was a resident of Christian Care Assisted Living where she was blessed to receive loving and compassionate care throughout her later years from the staff, and from Hospice of Michigan during her last weeks. As her loving family, we celebrate the gift we were given that our Mom was a loving wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma, as well as a good friend and compassionate caregiver. Her strong faith and perseverance carried her through life with a special grace all her own. SURVIVORS She will be sadly missed by her children, Tom (Joanie) Dykema (Andy and Paul Dykema), Dawn (Richard) VanderWeide (Derek VanderWeide and Deana Crawford), Mary (Archie) Warhurst (Vannessa Randles and Jeffery Warhurst), and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn, her brother Raymond Walsworth, several nieces and nephews, and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom in 2002, her son David in 2004, and her sister Lois Reynolds. SERVICE Thursday, May 18, 2017, 11:00 am at Covenant Community Church. MEMORIAL: For a more lasting memorial, please consider giving to Christian Care Assisted Living in Bernadine's honor.