Thelma De Smit

Rock Valley, IA: Thelma De Smit, 77, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Friday, May 16, at 10:00 AM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://www.porterfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/thelma-de-smit. Private family interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Thursday, May 15, from 5:30-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley.

Memorials in Thelma’s name may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).

   Thelma (Dykstra) De Smit, daughter of Theodore “Ted” and Gertrude (Rozeboom) Dykstra, was born September 14, 1947, at Hull, Iowa. She attended a country school northwest of Rock Valley, Iowa, through the 6th grade. She then attended West Lyon Community School, graduating in 1965. Thelma was united in marriage with Jay Arlin De Smit on March 28, 1969, at Rock Valley. The couple celebrated 28 years together and were blessed with 5 children: Jason, Julie, Michael, Troy, and Tricia. Jay passed away October 29, 1997. Thelma continued to live in Rock Valley until moving to Oakhill Assisted Living in Hawarden, Iowa, until their closing, and eventually made her home at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.

   Thelma worked for 13 years as a cook for the Sioux Center Hospital. She also spent time as a trainer for Hope Haven at the English House and Redwood Court. She cherished time with her children and grandchildren. A text message or phone call from her family always brightened her day. A visit with Grandma always included a game (or two) of marbles, UNO, or Hearts. There was sure to be a lot of conversation, laughter, and even some accusations of “cheating” or “bending the rules” during any of those spirited games. Thelma was always a good sport - even though she had to have a certain dice and color of marbles - and thoroughly enjoyed seeing her grandkids win the game. It was impossible to leave without a hug and “I love you” from her. These special times with her children and grandchildren brought Thelma much joy and happiness.

   Thelma is survived by her 5 children and 15 grandchildren, Jason (Joy Visser) De Smit of Panton, Vermont, and children: Breanna (Howie) Vander Wey, Ashley and Marcus De Smit; Julie (Tim) Bartels of Rock Valley and children: Noah (fiancée Paige Drenth) Bartels, and Nathan (Johanna Zylstra) Bartels; Michael De Smit of Sioux Center and children: Allie, Jasmine, and Chris De Smit; Troy (Lisa Van Middendorp) De Smit of Maurice, Iowa, and Tricia (special friend Wallace Jackmon, Jr) Bartels of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and children: Josie, Callum, Aspyn, and Hollis Bartels; 2 sisters, Lenora (Bob) Raymon of Canton, South Dakota and Linette Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; brother, Theo (Dawn) Dykstra of Canton; and special friends, Harriet Van Veldhuizen, Kay and Gary Van Veldhuizen, Sid and Christie Bulthuis and boys, and Lynda Bulthuis.

  Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Gert Dykstra; husband, Jay; brothers, John and Gerald Dykstra; and nephew, Jeff Dykstra.