Iva Josephine Dickinson, age 84, of Byron Center, went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Iva was born in the small village of Muir, Michigan, on March 15, 1942, to Elbridge “Bill” and Edessa Truesdell. She was raised there as the second of five children. After marrying Arthur in 1962, they moved to Chicago, and their son Jeffrey was born. They later returned to Michigan and settled in the Grand Rapids area. In 1968, they purchased the home where they would raise Jeff and Tim, who was born that same year.

In 1989, Iva and Arthur moved to a condo in Byron Center and enjoyed their “empty nest” years. Arthur went home to be with the Lord in 2009, and Iva continued to live independently in their home until 2025, when she moved to The Oaks of Jamestown. The staff at The Oaks loved her well and provided the care she needed.

Iva was a faithful member of Newhall Baptist Church in Wyoming for more than 38 years, serving the Lord and her church family in many different capacities until the church closed in 2009. In the years that followed, she attended Grace Community Church in Hudsonville with her family, but Newhall always held a special place in her heart, and she continued to consider it her church home.

Never wanting the spotlight, Iva was known as an encourager and supporter, and most of all, a faithful prayer warrior. She loved her family and friends with unwavering loyalty, quietly investing in the lives of those around her through her prayers, encouragement, and steadfast presence. She finished her race faithfully, leaving behind an example of faith, love, and devotion for all who were blessed to know and love her.

Her greatest earthly joy was her family, whom she loved deeply and faithfully. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Ray Dickinson; and her granddaughter, Kalyn Hope Dickinson. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Jeffrey and Leanna Dickinson, and Timothy and Alicia Dickinson; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jessica Dickinson, Leslie and Skylar Kaczanowski, Ryan and Annette Dickinson, Megan and Martin Fuss, Cameron Dickinson, Logan and Lindsey Dickinson, and Lauren and Benjamin Boswell; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Donna and Dick Brown, William and Bobbi Truesdell, Charlene and Robert Ball, and Robert Truesdell and Mary Walters; and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Lois Dickinson, Catherine Dickinson, Ruth and Charles Alber, and Karen Dickinson.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Dr. Stephen Holman officiating. The burial will take place at Winchester Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Thursday, September 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to The Trucking Collective.