FROUKJE HAGER DYKSTRA
      (DIJKSTRA IN HOLLAND)

      Born: Achlum, Netherlands Nov. 24, 1903
      Died: Long Beach, Ca. USA Dec. 29, 1975

      Photo

      HEART OF THE FAMILY
      By P. Kovell

          I STAND BESIDE YOU, MY CHILDREN
          TO DANCE ON THE RAINBOWS, AND SING IN THE CLOUDS
          TO HOWL AT THE MOON, AND LAUGH AT THE STARS,
          AND TO SHARE A DREAM OF A FAR OFF LAND.

          I STAND BESIDE YOU, MY CHILDREN
          TO CRY AT THE HEARTACHES, AND REVEL IN THE JOYS
          AS WELL AS SHARING IDEAS, NEW AND DIFFERENT,
          TOGETHER WE CAN REACH FOR THE STARS

          I STAND BESIDE YOU, MY CHILDREN
          IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD, THE HAPPY AND THE SAD,
          IN ORDER TO STRETCH THE LIMITS OF WHO WE WERE
          SO THAT WE CAN BLOSSOM INTO WHO WE REALLY ARE

          I STAND BESIDE YOU, MY CHILDREN
          AS EQUALS IN THE EYES OF THE UNIVERSE
          BUT I ALSO WILL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU
          TO DEFEND YOU WITH ALL THAT I HAVE IN ME

          WE ARE THE DREAMERS, SHARING THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
          WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE..
          AND WITH OUT A BACKWARD GLANCE
          WE TOOK A PATH THAT FOREVER CHANGED OUR LIVES!

          Eulogy

            Froukje Dykstra was born in Friesland, Holland, to very loving parents, Klaas Hager and Elisabeth Wiersma, on November 24, 1903.

            As was customary of children in that day, Froukje left her home at age 12 to work on a farm in a neighboring community. Realizing her talent to entertain her friends with singing and acting, Froukje, was determined to make her life a full one. While fulfilling her work duties, she also took pride in her friendships and other contributions she made during her teen years.

            At the age of 21 she married Albert Dijkstra. Together they lived in Hitzum, Netherlands, and were the proud parents of eight children (one daughter, aged 5, died). At a young age, Albert died and Froukje was left with the responsibility of raising the children on her own. With her sincere trust in God, she was able to endure the many hardships of the War years in Europe. Her foremost thought at all times was to keep her family together and safe.

            After the war, Froukje was deeply concerned with how she could provide her children with the best of opportunities in their coming years. Alone, she made a most difficult decision - she decided to take her family to America. Leaving her homeland, her parents, family and friends, Froukje boarded the ship "Brimanger" wtih little more than packs on their backs and a few suitcases for a long voyage to Long Beach, California, USA.

            Since their arrival in America, many happy events will long be remembered by her family. In a small house on 17th Street, she successfully raised her children, and was the very proud grandmother of nineteen grandchildren and one great granchild. She is best remembered as always willing to lend a helping hand, and forever having a kind word and welcome smile for family and neighbors alike. Having a great love for America, she also felt it was important to retain the family's Dutch customs in their family gatherings. She was always the center of activity and the center of love in the Dykstra family. She leaves her family today with many loving memories.

          By Peggy Smith-Landers, Granddaughter


          Froukje in her later years living at Theresa's Long Beach home.