Steven Dykema

09/19/1931

08/01/2019

Steven L. Dykema, age 87, of Grand Rapids passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2019.  He is survived by his wife Virginia [Ginny] (Thouin) Dykema, five children: Dr. Deborah Dykema (Michael Otis) of Scottsdale, AZ; Gregory J. Dykema (Karen) of Hudsonville; John E. Dykema (Michele Maly) of Marco Island, FL,  Susan L. Dykema of Manitu Springs, CO, and Mark S. Dykema (Nancy) of Holt; and nine grandchildren: Michael and Matthew (Alicia) Lomas, Corey and Caroline Dysick; Kristen and Scott Dykema; and Adam, Alex, and Gabrielle Dykema.  Born in Grand Haven he graduated from Michigan State University in 1953 and the University of Michigan Law School in 1959.Married Virginia Mae Thouin of East Grand Rapids and served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corp in Nuremberg, Germany as a First Lieutenant.  He served as Grand Rapids Deputy and City Attorney during 1963 – 1969.  As City Attorney he ruled that the old city hall and its Clock Tower had to be demolished and the land turned over to Union Bank which ruling was upheld by the U.S. District Court.  He drew up the contract with famed artist Alexander Calder for the creation and construction of the bright red 40 foot structure ”La Grande Vitesse” (Calder) which still dominates and symbolizes Grand Rapids today.  At the end of 1969 he joined the law firm of Miles, Mika, Meyers, Beckett and Jones where he practiced law full time until his retirement in December 1996.  He represented the Ferris State University Board of Trustees for over 25 years, Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company, Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline Company, and others.  Upon his retirement he was awarded an Honorary Law Degree from Ferris State University.  He was a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association of Western Michigan (Past President and National Delegate), Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference (Life Member) Michigan College and University Attorneys (Past President) and Chairperson of the Merit Selection Panel for U.S. Bankruptcy Judges for the Western District of Michigan.  He was befriended by and worked with then speaker Gerald Ford and Supreme Court Chief Justice William Renquist.  He was active in his church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Retreat Captain and on many committees.  He was past president and member of the St. Lazare Retreat House Board of Governors, Chairman of the Snowbirds Retreat, member of the Grand Rapids Inter Parochial Catholic High School Board, and Serra Club of Grand Rapids (Past President).  He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Camp Blodgett Board and served on the Kent County Board of Supervisors.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids,  Rev. Leonard Sudlik presiding. Visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment Woodlawn Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the The Killgoar Foundation for IHM School, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-4494.

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