Alice (Vandyke) DeKam was born January 6, 1923 on a farm 4 miles east of Leota to Gertrude and Asje Van Dyke. She was the 13th of 15 children in her family. Alice was baptized in the Leota Bethel Reformed Church where she later attended Girl's Society, Young People's Society and made her public profession of faith. Alice attended the country school with her siblings and received her certificate of graduation.

On December 18, 1941 she married Henry DeKam, also from Leota. They became members of Ebenezer Christian Church and lived on a farm near Chandler for one year. They then moved to the DeKam family farm 2 miles east of Leota where they raised their 6 children. Alice was a kind and loving mother who worked tirelessly to care for her family. She enjoyed her big garden and beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed playing the piano and did so without reading any notes.

In 1980 Henry retired from farming and their farm house was moved to their lot north of Edgerton. At this time they became members of the Edgerton First Reformed Church. Alice worked for Country Lumber, painting the walls and finishing the wood in their new homes.

In February, 1980, she joined the Edgebrook Care Center family and passed away there on July 31, 2014. While living at Edgebrook she enjoyed all the activities and especially enjoyed being able to play the piano and organ for the other residents.

Alice is lovingly remembered by her six children: Roger and Cathy DeKam of Eagan, SD; Joan and Bill Frederick of Kentwood, MI; Donald and Virginia DeKam of Leota, MN; Brenda and Leroy Stoel of Spicer, MN; Arvin DeKam of Colorado Springs, CO; Verlyn and Helen DeKam of Leota, MN; 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; one sister, Margaret Vis, who lives at Edgebrook. Her husband preceded in death on December 6, 2006, also 3 grandchildren, 7 sisters and 6 brothers.

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