Norlyn Vande Brake

Norlyn Vande Brake, 84, of Okoboji, passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at his home in Tucson, Arizona, with his family by his side.

A prayer service will take place on Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m., at the First Reformed Church in Orange City, followed by interment at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, at 11 a.m., at the church with the Rev. Mark Haverdink officiating. A meal and time of visitation with the family will follow the service, at the church.

Norlyn Keith was born on April 19, 1940, in Orange City, the son of Russell E. and Hermina (Rens) Vande Brake. He grew up in Orange City, where he attended school, graduating from the Orange City High School in 1957.

He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sandra Kay Schutt, on May 10, 1961, at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. In 1963, Norly was drafted into the United States Army, serving at Fort Hood, Texas, until his honorable discharge in 1965. Together “Norly and Sandy” made their home in Orange City, and Norly worked alongside his father and brother, and later with his children, at Russell’s Ready-Mix. He eventually became owner and president of Russell’s Ready-Mix, which later became Alliance Concrete, as well as being a partner at Great Lakes Concrete. Later in life, he and Sandy moved to Okoboji, and were able to enjoy more than thirty years of wintering in Arizona.

Norlyn was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church in Orange City and was also a member of the Pressman Kosters American Legion, also in Orange City. He enjoyed playing golf and card games, going fishing and bird watching, and spending time on the lake at Okoboji. He possessed a warm and generous spirit, evident in his love for his family and friends. Family vacations created lasting memories, and he cherished the special bonds he shared with his grandchildren. Although he will be deeply missed, his stories will live on through those that knew him best.

He is survived by his wife of more than 63 years, Sandy, of Okoboji; a son and his wife, Steven and Mary Vande Brake; and a daughter, Gail Dorn, all of Orange City; five grandchildren, April, and her husband, Cole Brooks; Kyra Vande Brake; Nora Vande Brake; Charlie Dorn, and his wife, Brooklyn; and Sydney Dorn; a sister and her husband, Twila and Ken Netten, of Orange City; a stepbrother and his wife, Dean and Karen Borgman, of Scottsdale, Arizona; two stepsisters, Margaret Wielenga, of Santa Maria, California; and Mary Janezic, of Marana, Arizona; two sisters-in-law, Brenda Vande Brake, of Orange City; and Anna Mae Schutt, of Alton; and a step-sister-in-law and her husband, Gail and Dennis Wierzba, of Chandler, Arizona; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife’s parents, Sam T. and Grace Schutt; his stepfather, Melvin Borgman; his stepmother, Margaret Vande Brake; a brother and his first wife, Virgil and Colleen Vande Brake; a stepbrother, Jim Borgman; a sister-in-law and her husband, Eunice and Ken Hulstein; two brothers-in-law, Howard Schutt, and his wives, Joan and Marlys; and Gene Schutt; two step-brothers-in-law, Enno Wielenga and John Janezic; and two nephews, Kel Vande Brake, and Scott Vande Brake.

Memorials will be given to the broadcast and livestream ministry of the First Reformed Church in Orange City.

You are invited to leave a message of condolence, print a memorial folder, view a tribute video, and participate in service via livestream at www.oolman.com.

The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.