Joan Ruth Van Wyk

Joan Van Wyk passed away on April 15, 2019. She was born on July 13, 1931 in Prairie City, Iowa, the daughter of Marsailus and Jennie Schuttinga. Joan was raised in Prairie City, Iowa and attended Prairie City public schools. She was united in marriage to Paul Van Wyk on August 22, 1950. Joan and Paul shared 3 children, Chris, Kurt and Lara. After her husband, Paul, graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis they moved to Reinbeck, Iowa and lived there for 4 years. Then they moved to Pella, Iowa, where they remained for 20 years. In 1978, the family moved to Littleton, Colorado, so that Dr. Paul could join his son, Chris, at Van Wyk Chiropractic Center.

Joan is survived by her son, Chris and his wife, Ivonne Van Wyk; daughter, Lara, and her husband, Bayard Potter; daughter-in-law, Mary Van Wyk; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and another great-grandchild due very soon. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Paul L. Van Wyk; her son, Kurt Van Wyk; her parents, Marsailus and Jennie Schuttinga; and her brothers, Art Schuttinga, Gerald Schuttinga, Max Schuttinga, and Lee Schuttinga.

Joan was a deeply devoted mother and grandmother. There was nothing she cared about more than her family. While in Iowa, where her children were raised, she was active in her church and her children's schools. She volunteered her time to the famous, and annual, Dutch celebration "Tulip Time" each year, and always wore her fancy traditional Dutch dress in the parade. Joan had a passion for sports. She played on the Girls Iowa State Basketball Championship team in high school, she enjoyed playing golf, and skiing in spite of her rheumatoid arthritis. She enjoyed hundreds of athletic events over the years of her children, grandchildren, and last but not least, her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching college and professional sports on TV as well. She enjoyed a good book, and jigsaw puzzles. She loved her family get togethers, as chaotic as they were sometimes, and she especially enjoyed the great grand babies coming to visit her. Joan was a great cook, the more butter and cream the better. None of her children could make the Dutch pastry as well as she did. Lastly, Joan was generous. She showed her love especially for her family by her actions, not a lot of words, except for a little advice now and then :)

She is deeply loved, and will be missed.