Funeral services for Wayne De Kam, 86, of Edgerton were held  March 22, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church  in Edgerton with Pastor Scott Muilenburg officiating. Interment was in the Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton. Music was provided by pianist Carla Elgersma; special music The King is Coming by Pastor Lee Christoffels, and congregational hymns Blessed Assurance, How Deep The Father’s Love For Us, and Hallelujah Chorus.

Attendants were the grandchildren.

Wayne De Kam went to be with Jesus on March 18, 2025. He was 86 years old. 

Wayne’s life began at the Pipestone hospital on October 16, 1938. He was welcomed by parents Nelvin and Helena. 

On the family farm north of Edgerton, a love for agriculture was planted in young, hard-working Wayne. He lived there until his late teens, when his family moved to a home on Mechanic Street.

While attending Southwest Christian High School, Wayne met Faith Kok and fell in love. They were married on December 23, 1958, and moved into their first home on Mechanic Street. While Faith taught elementary school, Wayne worked with his dad at the newly acquired chicken hatchery. 

After being married one year, they moved into their forever home at 1220 Mechanic Street, where they lived for over 60 years. 

Wayne owned and operated the De Kam Seed and Fertilizer business for over 40 years before passing it on to his son, Darrin. 

After retiring, Wayne bought a motor home and he and Faith loved their winters in Palm Springs, Calif. They had many friends there and also spent time with Faith’s family.  

Wayne’s love of people and heart for the hurt and disabled brought many opportunities for him to serve his community. He was a volunteer firefighter for over 25 years, and he gave at least 20 years to the ambulance service as a trained medical assistant. Wayne also loved his time in the Friendship ministry for the mentally disabled. 

Over the years, Wayne was committed to a variety of councils and church leadership positions, including the roles of elder and deacon for the First Christian Reformed Church of Edgerton. He also participated on the boards of Edgebrook, New Life Treatment Center, and Progress, Inc. He loved serving this community.

Wayne had an infectious smile and laugh and loved to have fun. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren so much. Even when his weak heart slowed him down in his later years, he was a generous, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Faith; mother and father, Nelvin and Helena De Kam; his brother, Rod; his two sisters, Sherri Voetberg and Twyla Gortsema and her husband Marvin. 

Wayne is lovingly remembered by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Debby and Dan Vanden Burg of Parker, Colo., Megan and Rayvon Jernigan (Adeline, Jamie, and Navani), Talli and fiancé Christian Lugbill; Curtis De Kam of Edgerton, Dayton and Lizzie (Riley and Carter); Darrin and Jody De Kam of Edgerton, Kaiser and Hannah (Noah and Emma), Monte and Megan (Kaelyn and Carson), Brooklyn and Bailey Fey; Alissa and Keith Erffmeyer of Parker, Colo., Grant and Kasey, Logan, Blake, Dillon ; his brother, Daryl (Karen) De Kam, sister-in-law, Jean De Kam, brother-in-law, Bob Voetberg, and so many relatives and friends who loved him.