Brenda Rae (Smith) Dykhoff, 70, of Jonesboro, received her heavenly reward at 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Colonial Oaks in Marion. She was born to Robert S. and Lois J. Smith on February 14, 1953 in Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan. On August 25, 1979, she married Ken Dykhoff, and he survives.
Brenda graduated from Muskegon High School in 1971. She graduated from Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) in 1978 with a bachelor’s of science degree in vocal music education. She worked at Marion College in the admissions office during her college years and after graduation.
In the summer of 1981, they moved to Spooner, Wisconsin, where she taught at United Christian Academy while Ken served as Youth Director at Spooner Wesleyan Church. In the summer of 1983, they moved to Spring Lake, Michigan, where Brenda served as the music director at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church and Ken served as youth pastor.
In 1986 they moved back to Marion so Ken could finish school at Marion College. Ken served as youth pastor at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Tipton and Brenda taught music, computer, and Bible classes at Lakeview Christian School. When Ken graduated in 1988, they moved to Albion, Indiana, where Ken served as youth pastor at Cornerstone Wesleyan Church and Brenda taught computer and business law at Fort Wayne Christian School.
In the fall of 1989, they founded Cornerstone Christian Academy with Pastor Dan and Carla Wilson and Brenda taught at the school. That same fall, they adopted their daughter Shawnda.
In October of 1991, their daughter, Heather was born (after doctors had told Brenda she would not be able to bear children).
In the summer of 1992, they moved to Parma, Michigan, where Ken was Lead Pastor at Howe Wesleyan Church and Brenda was a stay-at-home mom, home schooling their daughters and helped found Pioneer’s Home School Co-Op in Jackson, Michigan. She taught literature, debate, creative writing, choir, and gave private piano and voice lessons. In the summer of 1993, Brenda became director of Club House Kids Camp in the West Michigan District of The Wesleyan Church. She served as camp director for 11 years.
In the summer of 2000, they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Ken became Lead Pastor at Spring Valley Wesleyan Church and Brenda continued with the home schooling co-op. She became the director of ministry resources at Spring Valley Wesleyan Church, where she led the children’s ministry, served as the risk management director, and worship director. She also led women’s Bible study for several years and planned and organized the annual women’s retreats.
In 2008, she started working on her master’s degree in counseling at Sprint Arbor University. Her goal was to work with pastor’s wives. In 2010 they moved to Jonesboro, Indiana, where Ken became Lead Pastor of Jonesboro Main Street Wesleyan Church, and Brenda helped with worship, served in the children’s ministry, and led a women’s Bible study.
Brenda loved photography, scrapbooking, quilting, and canning when she wasn’t involved with music, children’s ministries, or leading Bible studies. In November of 2012, she suffered a stroke which forced her to retire. Brenda was a member of Eastview Wesleyan Church.
Her favorite places were sitting on the swing at Lane’s cottage on West Lake (Michigan) and the Straits of Mackinac Island by the bridge. Her passion for music, her gift of teaching, and her humility spoke volumes to her students, church family, and friends.
As mommy, she was determined that her girls knew they were loved and valued and they could do anything they set their mind to, and to keep dreaming bigger. Her structured personality (she loved making lists!) taught them how to keep a house, how to self-manage, and how to set goals.
As wife, she was Ken’s pearl of great price. As a pastor’s wife, she was totally committed to supporting her husband in ministry, no matter where that might take them, and she allowed God to use her gifts wherever they were serving.
Brenda is survived by her husband of 43 years, Rev. Kenneth L. Dykhoff, Jonesboro; daughters, Rev. Shawnda Rae (Kyle) Bilbee, Wabash, and Heather Rae, Jonesboro; sister, Georgia Kamphorst, Spring Lake, MI; sister, Marcia (Ken) Hubbard, Grant, MI; brother, Lane (Elaine) Smith, Grand Haven, MI; twin brother, Craig (Terry) Smith, Twin Lake, MI; and several cherished nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert S. and Lois J. Smith; brother-in-law, Dan MacLaren; brother-in-law, Beert Kamphorst; and brother-in-law, Daniel L. Dykhoff.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Eastview Wesleyan Church, 414 N. 10th St., Gas City, IN. Immediately following the time of visitation, a celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm at the church with Pastor Ken Dykhoff and Pastor Shawnda Bilbee officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eastview Wesleyan Church, 414 N. 10th Street, Gas City, IN 46933.
A celebration of life service will also be held on Sunday, June 18, at 4:00 pm at First Wesleyan Church, 1040 E. Forest Ave., Muskegon, MI, with visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.