Verna Arlene Dykstra passed away peacefully at the age of 95, on February 20, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Anita, her daughter Charlene and husband John (Verna’s favorite); 4 grandchildren Vincent, Zachary and wife Kaitlyn, Nicholas, and Ashley and husband John; 2 great grandchildren Skylar and Riley. Verna was born in Mercer, Oklahoma January 8, 1928. She was the ninth child in a family of 10. She was born with a club foot and struggled with shyness. Verna because a Christian as a child and developed her faith through her entire life. Verna attended the Oklahoma Baptist University and graduated 1955, with her bachelor degree. During this time she meet her husband Charles Dykstra. Charles was a Merchant Marine home on leave for Christmas, she fixed up with him by her sister Valdora and husband Pat.Charles and Verna wrote letters while he was a sea. When Charles returned home, he proposed to mom and they were married 6/1/54. They lived in Oklahoma where their first daughter Anita (named after Verna’s 2 best friends in college; Anita & Faye) was born. Then they moved to Berkeley, CA where their second daughter Charlene (named from Verna’s middle name Arlene and Charles) was born. Verna continued her in faith while Charles attended Baptist Seminary in Mill Valley. Charles and Verna moved to Centrailia, WA where Verna worked at the jail, while Charles taught school and attended collage to get his master degree. Then in 1967 Charles and Verna moved to North Highlands, CA with their two daughters. Verna continued her education to get her masters degree in teaching. She began substitute teaching while she continued her education. They were both very active in the Southern Baptist Church there. Verna taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. Verna and Charles moved to Rocklin, CA in 1970. Verna started a Day Care at the Southern Baptist Church, where daughter Anita worked as well.

Verna remained steadfast to her faith, she taught, sang and witnessed whenever she had an opportunity. She worked for Area 4 On Agency of Aging, assisting homeless people obtaining jobs and housing. During this time frame oldest daughter Anita married. A few years later daughter Charlene was married, and gave birth to Verna’s first grandson, Vince. Next Anita gave Verna her second grandson Zachary, followed by Charlene’s second and Verna’s third grandson Nicholas. Verna loved having grandsons. Later she was blessed with Charlene’s third and Verna’s first granddaughter Ashley, who she played with all the time. Later Verna was blessed with her first Great Grandson Skylar, son of Zachary. Most recently she was blessed with her first Great Granddaughter Riley, daughter of Ashley. Verna and Charles were always finding ways to witness to others; for a period of they traveled in their motorhome with the group called “Campers on Missions”. Additional they had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii to help build a church for an underserved community. Verna loved to sing, walk, visit with neighbors, share the faith with anyone who would listen. She also enjoyed bargain shopping, and sewing. Verna had a talent writing and even wrote a poem about her Christianity which she requested to be read at her services. Verna was loved by everyone who met her.

She was a sweet and kind lady always giving of herself to others. She will be missed by all who knew her.