Trena (Van Essen) Van Dyke, age 84, of Leota, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at the Edgebrook Care Center

She was born on December 30, 1929, one of eleven children born to William and Hattie (Pool) Van Essen.  Trena was baptized and became a member of the Leota  Christian Reformed Church.  She attended the Leota Christian School.

Trena was united in marriage to Lance Van Dyke in Leota, Minnesota on September 1, 1949.  They lived on a farm east of Leota until the spring of 1986.  At that time they moved to Ontario, California, where she was employed as a janitor at the Ontario Christian Reformed Church.  In the summer of 1993 they returned to Leota, Minnesota and built their retirement home where they enjoyed many happy years with their children and grandchildren.  On June 13, 2012 she became a resident of Edgebrook  Care Center where she resided until she went to her eternal home on October 9, 2014.
She is lovingly remembered for her cheerful disposition and love for helping others.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lance; her parents;  3 brothers:  Oscar, Henry, Marvin;  two sisters: Margaret and Emily; 3 sister-in-laws: Viola, Betty, Arlene; brother in-law, Peter,  brother in-law and sister in-law Ida and Cornie Vander Steen,  and 1 grandchild: Josh Nibbelink.

Trena is survived by her seven children, Linda ( Jerry) Beckering of Leota; Marilyn ( Harley) Buys of Edgerton; Lori ( Barry) Miedema of Sioux Falls, SD; Curt ( Beth) Van Dyke of Leota; Iris ( Rich) Terpstra of Allendale, MI: Kevin ( Denise) Van Dyke of Ontario, CA: and Arla ( Jeff) Pronk of Edgerton; four brothers, Willard, Lester (Elaine), Ivan (Barb), and Glen (Jeri); sister, Cynthia (Nick); sister-in-law Celia, brother in-law John,  and 27 grandchildren.  Her legacy continues with her 32 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Monday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Funeral will be 10:30 am Tuesday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Burial will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.
The Leota Burial Association & Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, are in charge of arrangements.

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