IN MEMORIAM: Karl Dykstra, 57;

Built Homes In Cooperstown Area

COOPERSTOWN – Karl Dykstra, a local contractor who built many fine homes in the Cooperstown area, passed away Monday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2018, at Bassett Hospital. He was 57.

Born July 28, 1961, in Suffern, he was one of six children of Fred and Fernande “Nonnie” (Deligny) Dykstra.

Karl was a strong and loving husband and father. He made family gatherings memorable with his wonderful sense of humor and antics. Karl’s hobbies included fishing, camping and golf. He enjoyed skiing with his children in winter and evenings on his boat with family in the summer.

In March 1977, his father and mother moved the family from Campbell Hall to Otsego Hills Farm in Pierstown. Karl worked on the farm with his siblings until graduating from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 1979.

From there he went to work for Bundy Concrete. In 1984, Karl and his brother Fred started Dykstra Construction with their father and mother, and through the years were responsible for many of the beautiful homes in the Cooperstown area. Karl’s creativity and care is woven into every home he built.

On Nov. 19, 1988, Karl married Catherine “Kitty” Coleman at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church. They enjoyed 30 years of marriage and were blessed with four children: Karl Dykstra, Jr. and his fiancée, Becky, William Dykstra and his fiancée, Hilari, Julie Dykstra and Elizabeth Dykstra.

He is also survived by his mother, Nonnie Dykstra; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred and Dolores Dykstra, Jr., and Eric and Maureen Dykstra; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Joanne and Bruce Osterhoudt, Jeanine and Jason Harter and Jerilynn and Bruce Bachanas; many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; his mother and father-in-law, Cathy and Bill Coleman;  and his wife’s siblings, Susie Coleman and Donna and Bobby Clifford.

He was predeceased by his father, Fred Dykstra, who died Dec. 4, 2014.

Friends may call and pay their respects 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown. At 6 p.m. that same evening there will be a service at the funeral home with Deacon Randy Velez officiating.

Burial will be private in Lakewood Cemetery.

His family would like to thank all of the wonderful and caring people from Cooperstown EMS and Bassett ICU who cared for them during this time.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY  13326.