Dorothy Lou Dykema

Dorothy Lou Dykema Of Indianapolis passed away Monday, April 8, 2013. She was born on February 28, 1924, to Roy A. and Rebecca (Rutter) Cooper of Cortland, NE. Dorothy was raised in Wheaton, IL where she attended Wheaton Academy. While in high school during WWII, she was trained as a welder and worked in the manufacture of the B-17 Liberator at the Boeing aircraft factory in Seattle, WA. Dorothy met her future husband Roland while he was attending Wheaton College and was a boarder in her mother's house. They were married in Illinois on June 24, 1947. Dorothy's career and priority was being a loving and supportive wife and mother of five children. When the kids were in school Dorothy enjoyed flower gardening and antiquing. Dorothy also enjoyed working with her hands being an accomplished seamstress, an expert at chair caning and light carpentry. Later in life Dorothy and her husband enjoyed traveling with friends and visiting her widely scattered children and grandchildren. Dorothy attended Grace Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dorothy is survived by a loving family including daughters: Susan Dykema of Indianapolis and Julie (John) Winter of Tell City; sons: Richard (Holly) Dykema of Saratoga, CA and Bill (Carolyn) Dykema of Holliston, MA; grandchildren: John (Maranda) Winter and great grandson Pyke of Evansville, IN. Grandchildren David, Julia & Andrew Dykema all of Holliston, MA; sister Genevieve Long of Fountain Inn, SC. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Roland W. Dykema and her eldest son, John Dykema who is survived by wife Helga, daughter Rebecca and son Marc of Nussloch, Germany. Services will be held Friday, April 12, at Flanner and Bu chanan - Washington Park North, 2706 Kessler Blvd. West Drive, Indianapolis. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and services held at 2 p.m. with burial immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to Wheeler Mission Ministries of Indianapolis. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan