Jacob James Van Dyke, age 75, died Monday, May 14, 2018 in Fargo, ND. Jim was born the son of Hein and Dora (Van Hal) Van Dyke of Marion, ND on November 9, 1942. He was raised on the family farm in Greenland Township, Barnes County, ND, the oldest of three children. He quit school early and started working for neighboring farmers. He left home at age 14 to do what he loved, working with tractors and machinery.
Jim moved to Valley City in 1963 and started building houses with his uncles, with whom he also had many enjoyable hunting and fishing trips into Canada. In 1965, he started working on the Van Hall farm, managing the cattle and farming. These were fun times, including the introduction of the first Purebred Simmental bull in ND. They also raised French Charolais and Maine-Anjou cattle.
In 1969 he married Nadine Wagar, the daughter of Elmer and Hazel. He established the Van Dyke Payloader Service in 1979, serving farmers and the community with loader work for 38 years.
Above all Jim was committed to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jim is survived by his wife; daughter Heidi (John) Lewicki and kids Kasin, Tegin & Torin, Plymouth, MN; sons Jeremy (Penelope) Van Dyke and kids Josie, Allison, Natalie & Katie, Glyndon, MN, and Travis (Libby) Van Dyke and kids Margaret, Henry, Ellie, Bethany, Gabe & Carlie, Zap, ND. He is also survived by his sisters Marlene (John) Eidsmoe and Greta (Michael) Wittmeier.
Visitation will be 5-7 pm Thursday, May 17, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Valley City with a prayer service at 7 pm at the church. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church. The funeral will be at 10 am Friday at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Memory Garden, rural Valley City.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com