Donald R. Dykstra, 85, Las Vegas, Nevada

September 8, 1930 - January 25, 2016

Donald R. Dykstra, 85, died peacefully and in the comforting arms of his family on January 25, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arrangements for a most special celebration of Don’s life and memorial service, to be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids, MN at 10:00 am. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Don was born in Hollandale, Minnesota to Mary Baas and George Dykstra on September 8, 1930. He had six brothers and all grew up on a farm. Don graduated from Lakefield, Minnesota High School, served in the United States Army in Europe, and returned to Southern Minnesota. There he met the love of his life, Paula Bradbury, and they were married in 1954. Don and Paula lived in Jackson, Worthington, and Marshall, Minnesota, where Don worked in agriculture implements and auto parts and equipment before moving to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where Don worked for Badger Paint and then joining Coast-to-Coast Stores as a district manager for a three state region out of Dickinson, North Dakota. Two more great loves of Don’s life came along in those years, son Brad and daughter Dana.

In 1976 the Dykstra family moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where Don managed a large region of stores for True Value Hardware. All through those years Don enjoyed golfing, traveling with his family, especially to Crane Lake in Northern Minnesota, and spending countless enjoyable hours with good friends and at family gatherings. Don and Paula’s home on Poppy Road in St. Cloud was a center for great chicken and burger grilling, boisterous Super-Bowls, and many, many birthday parties and holiday gatherings. Don had room in his life for one more great love, and Granddaughter Grace Dykstra came along in 1998 to occupy that spot.

Don and Paula’s move to a condominium didn’t slow down the wonderful family times, and in retirement Don spent great summers mowing fairways at Territory Golf Course, tending travelers at the Highway 10 Rest Area, and looking after lawns and doing chores at the condominium building. He liked to be busy, to watch the Vikings, go out with friends and buddies for coffee or breakfast, and attend fish-fries. Continuing these simple pleasures helped Don move on after Paula’s death in 2009.

In 2014 Don suffered a stroke, and after a time in rehabilitation Don moved to Las Vegas where he lived with daughter Dana Dykstra Orr and her husband, Randy. In late 2015 Don entered the Veterans Administration Hospital in Las Vegas as effects of the stroke and heart failure became more debilitating.

Don is survived by his son, Brad (Cheryl); daughter, Dana (Randy) Orr; granddaughter, Grace Dykstra; brothers, Jake Dykstra and John Dykstra; and brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by spouse, Paula; parents; brothers, Charles, Dewey, Marvin, and Frank.