John Dykema, 97 formerly of Linton, ND passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 7, 2026 at Edgewood in Mandan while under the care of CHI Health at Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 12, 2026 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with Father Mark Aune officiating. Interment will be held in the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a Vigil/Prayer service at 7:00 PM on Thursday at the Sannes Feist Family Funeral Home, Linton. Visitation will continue on Friday for one hour prior to the service at the church.

John was born in Westfield ND on March 12, 1929 to Abel and Wilmina (Millenaar) Dykema, the second of six children. He attended country school near Westfield through the eighth grade and received his Honorary Diploma through the Division of Independent Studies on September 23, 2003 being recognized at the Linton High School graduation ceremony in May of 2004. In his years following grade school he worked on the family farm and also for area farmers. In 1951 at the age of 21 he was drafted into service with the US Army with the 369th Combat Engineering Battalion. During his service he participated in Atomic Bomb Testing in Nevada and achieved the position of Private First Class and Squad Leader.

Following his time in the US Army, John moved to Linton and worked for KEM Electric as a lineman for several years and then as a counter and traveling parts salesman for Hedahls. He held various other jobs in Linton during his retirement years. For several years he managed the gaming machines for the American Legion.

John met his wife, Monica Wald while she was a waitress at Renschler’s Café in Linton. They were united in marriage on December 1, 1962 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Linton and together raised their five children. John had a strong work ethic and instilled that in his children. When he took vacations from his job it was likely to do a house project or some other type of work versus actually going on a vacation. While he was a man of few words, he led by example and set clear expectations for what was acceptable and what was not. He never got terribly upset, he was a kind and giving man that could always be called upon when somebody needed help with anything.

John was extremely proud of his time in the service and was a very dedicated and active member of the American Legion Post 54 in Linton for over 71 years. He was a part of the color guard for several decades at all the parades, Memorial Day Services, amongst many other events when they were called upon for duty. John received his Quilt of Valor in June of 2022 in recognition of his military service. He was also a part of forming the Jaycees Club in Linton. He was a long-time member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Linton and devoted to regular church attendance and volunteering. He was on the church council when the new west side expansion of the church occurred. He was an avid bowler and baseball fan and was a huge New York Yankees fan his whole life. He volunteered at many of the Legion and Babe Ruth baseball games over the years in Linton by taking money for tickets and paying the kids for shagging the foul balls and returning them. He spent many days, evenings and weekends playing his favorite card game, Gin. All family gatherings, any time family stopped by, during the holidays or when meeting his buddies at the Green Lantern, several hands of Gin were likely played every time. We were fortunate enough that he was able to enjoy this card playing pastime up until his death. He also very much enjoyed gardening and taking great care of his lawn while keeping things in excellent condition and well cared for.

With the assistance of his daughters and sons-in-law in Linton, he was able to live in his house in Linton independently until he was 94 years old. He moved to Edgewood Mandan assisted living in July of 2023 and later that year was transferred to the memory care unit at Edgewood. John went under the care of CHI Health at Home in May of 2024 and maybe was the only 96-year-old in history to get kicked out of hospice care a year later! He went back under the care of hospice in January of 2026. The staff at Edgewood and CHI Health at Home really enjoyed their time with him and called him one of their favorites due to his kind nature, pleasantness and sense of humor even as he dealt with dementia.

John is survived by his four daughters and sons-in-law: Louann (Joe) Kiefer, Linton; Cheryl (Lyle) Hanson, Linton; Paula (Robert) Werner, Bismarck; Lori (Jody) Kuzel, Lidgerwood; one son and daughter-in-law: Kevin (Rachel) Dykema, Bismarck; eight grandchildren: Jonathan (Kalee) Werner and Taylor (Molly) Werner, Julie (Damien) Bentz, Tanner and Brooklyn Kuzel, Connor, Hailey and Brianna Dykema; six great grandchildren: Avlyn and Avra Werner, Charlotte & Daniel Werner, Oakley and Zoey Bentz. He is also survived by one brother and four sisters-in-law: Dennis (Doris) Dykema, Jean Dykema, Elizabeth Dykema, Marlene Dykema; one sister: Arlene Davis, as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in law: Marge Wangen, Bill Bosch, Christine Freidig, Betty (Floyd) Fetzer, Jerome Werlinger, Vi (Elmer) Weigel, Irene (Monte) Felchle, Joe L. (Sue) Wald, Steve (Nancy) Wald and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife: Monica; his parents: Abel & Wilmina Dykema; three brothers: Marvin, Louis and Orville Dykema; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Joe J. and Margaret Wald, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Don Davis, Emma (Don) Jackman, Jerome Wangen, Anna Mary Bosch, Larry Freidig and Helen Werlinger.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Edgewood Mandan for all their care and compassion over the past nearly 3 years as well as the staff at CHI Health at Home for their dedicated service during their time with him.