Michael Dykstra

Michael Jon Dykstra, age 74, of Jenison, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.  He “sure hoped there was a Heaven”, and now he is there with his beloved son, Scott.  If we could write a story, it would be the greatest ever told of a kind and loving son, husband, father and grandfather who had a heart of gold.  We could write a million pages but would still be unable to say how much we love and miss him now, and will every single day.  Mike was born and grew up in Holland, Michigan and attended the Hanley one-room schoolhouse, but ultimately graduated from Wyoming Park High School (Class of 1960).  He worked for United Airlines in hubs all over the United States.  He married Rita Buch in 1971 in Los Angeles.  Mike retired early from the airlines to pursue his lifelong love of fitness.  He founded Ram Fitness Systems, Inc. in Jenison, and provided equipment and personal training for over 25 years.  Mike was very proud of earning several bodybuilding titles including runner-up Mr. Grand Rapids, Mr. Michigan Over 40, and Mr. Wolverine Over 40.  He sold exercise equipment to most of the local schools and universities.  His good health and physical strength from exercise were always an asset to him, and he always shared that with his family, friends and customers.   He is pre-deceased by his son, Scott Michael Dykstra, parents, Roland and Kathryn (Bos) Dykstra, father-in-law and mother-in law, Philip and Ellen (McCarthy) Buch, brother-in-law, Edward Buch, and nephew, Philip Buch.  Mike will be lovingly missed by his wife, Rita (Buch) Dykstra; daughter and son-in-law, Wendy (Dykstra) and Jason Lung; grandchildren, Adam Lung and Miriam Lung; brother and sister-in-law, Lee and Pauline Dykstra; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Annette and Ron King; brother–in-law, Joseph Buch; aunts, Janet Dykstra and Evelyn Bos; daughter-in-law, Carri (TerHaar) Merrill; several cousins, nieces and a nephew; many dear friends and neighbors.  The family would like to thank Evergreen Respite Day Center, The Terrace at Railside Living Center, Spectrum Home Health Care, Spectrum Hospice, and the Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan for their support and care.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive, SW. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Scott M. Dykstra-Oliver Products Memorial Engineering Scholarship at Grand Valley State University.