Carol Lynn (Van Skike) Dykema

Carol Lynn Dykema, 70, of rural Balsam Lake, passed away on Friday, September 07, 2012 at her home with her loving family at her side.

Carol was born on December 24, 1941 in Oskaloosa, IA to Francis N. and Ruby Arlene Van Skike. She graduated from St. Louis Park High School in Minnesota in 1959.  She attended 2 years at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.

Carol married Donald Hedden in 1962.  They had 4 children before divorcing in 1974.  She found herself raising her children alone and worked long hours for little pay to provide for them.  They were poor but her children didn’t know it.  The always had a clean home, plenty of food, new clothes for school and gifts on Christmas and birthdays.

Carol met and fell in love with Ken Dykema and they married on October 28, 1983.  Ken had 5 children of his own.  Being a step mother was not always easy but they grew to love and count on her too.

Carol and Ken took many vacations together motor cycling thru the country.  They took a tent and camped along the way seeing a lot of beautiful country.  Life was good!  They enjoyed fishing.  Carol would find them and someone else, Ken, would catch the majority of them.  Guess she was a better guide.

After retiring they moved from Indiana to Wisconsin in 1996, Carol took a job at Pap’s General Store in Balsam Lake.  She worked there 11 years before her health forced her to leave.  She enjoyed meeting many of the locals and visitors and checked in a few hundred deer which was definitely a new experience for a “city girl”.

Her new passion became playing slots at the casino.  She was not a “High Roller” but she enjoyed the penny, nickel and the occasional quarter slots.  When she would come home a winner, she would share her winnings with Ken.  The casino was her preferred source of entertainment and relaxation.

Carol leaves to celebrate her memory: her loving husband Kenneth of 29 years, 4 sons/stepsons; Craig (Misti) Hedden, Indianapolis, IN; Daniel (Jennifer) Hedden, Indianapolis, IN; James (Pennie) Dykema, Mt. Carroll, IL; and Troy (Tammy) Dykema, Mt. Carroll, IL; 5 daughters/stepdaughters; Cherryl Travis, Casa Grande, AZ, Kimberly (Randy) Knight, Tempe, AZ; Robin Schneider, Mt. Carroll, IL; Toby (Barry) Brooks, Houston, TX and Tracy (Adrian) Kostallari, Pearl City, IL, 15 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, 2 brothers; Michael (Diane) Van Skike, Woodbury, MN; David (Kerry) Van Skike, Hillsborough, NC and many other loving family and friends.  Carol was preceded in death by her parents and younger sister, Vicki Blommaert.

A memorial service for Carol will be held on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 3:00 P.M. at Georgetown Lutheran Church.  Carol’s family will be greeting visitors at the church from 2:00 P.M until the time of service at 3:00 P.M. Pastor Neal Weltzin will officiate. The family would like to invite their guests to join them for lunch and fellowship following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be preferred to Georgetown Lutheran Church or the Adoray Hospice.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.