Lavona Marie Dykstra

Lavona Marie Graham Dykstra was born at her family home near Valier, Montana, on December 28, 1933 to Alex and Irene Graham. She was the fourth of seven children. She became her Dad's right-hand, and her Mother's left. She was very capable of running the farm equipment and tending to the milking and chores around the farm.

She graduated high school in Valier and became the first in her family to attend college, receiving her Elementary Teaching Degree from University of Montana Western at Dillon. It was while earning her degree that she met her future husband, Martin. She had traveled with her college roommate Cathy, his sister, to Thompson Falls for a visit during their holiday break.

In the fall of 1953 she began a 2 year teaching contract at Sunburst Elementary. While teaching at Sunburst she made her choice to serve God. She was faithful to that choice until the end. She and Martin continued a long distance courtship, which became a love story, lasting 71 years. They were married in Missoula, Montana on May 23, 1955, in a double wedding ceremony with Martin's sister, Mertie, and brother-in-law, Paul.

They made their home at Thompson Falls and Marie began teaching 2nd grade at Thompson Falls Elementary in the fall of 1955. She taught for 2 years, leaving teaching to become a stay at home mom, when their daughter, Diane, arrived.

In the summer of 1958, the family moved to Cut Bank, Montana, where Martin became a ranch manager and Marie became responsible for feeding all the farm hands. The woman whose early years were spent helping outdoors, who was most at home on a tractor, and doing farm chores, now needed to learn how to cook. She taught herself well! Though her humility wouldn't allow her to admit it, she was a very good cook, perhaps because she added a bit of love to everything. While living at Cut Bank a son, Henry, was born.

They returned to Thompson Falls in the fall of 1959 and purchased the Dykstra homestead from Martin's parents. Soon after, a son, Marvin, was born. Two years later their youngest son, Wayne, completed the family.

Marie was a very gracious and hospitable host. She loved company, a stranger was just a friend she hadn't met yet. Over the years, they hosted several family reunions, foreign exchange students, a dutch bicycling troupe, rock climbers, a historic Oregon Trail re-enactment, and stranded motorists.

She was a willing world traveler, who was always up for an adventure. Be it Canada, Mexico, Europe, various states, or her own backyard, she found excitement aplenty. She experienced many challenges in her life, but she faced each one with grit and determination. Thompson Falls continued to be their home until 2024 when a house fire necessitated a move from the homestead. They settled at The Village in Missoula, where they enjoyed a view of the mountains from their balcony, weekly bingo games, and entertaining visiting family and friends.

Marie peacefully slipped away, with family by her side, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. She was preceded in death by her son Marvin, grandson Jeffrey, and great grandson Caiden "Squish", her parents, brothers: Robert and Ira, sisters: Aileen, Louise, and Mildred.

She is survived by her husband Martin, children Diane (Mark) Hedahl, Hank (Marilyn) Dykstra, and Wayne (Nancy) Dykstra, her brother Lester Graham, 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, May 16th at New Life Fellowship on Airport Road in Thompson Falls.