On the afternoon of August 20, God called Andy (31) home after a 5 ½ year battle with cancer. He is now in Heaven watching over the most beautiful set of Black Angus cows you can imagine.
Andrew Philip Van Dyken was born on April 5, 1991, to Rick and Halane Van Dyken, joining his brother Kyle and his sister Heidi. His younger years were spent in the Gallatin Valley, where he attended Manhattan Christian School. He was always interested and very involved in haying, grain harvest and all things cattle. In the spring of 2006, he and his parents made the move to the Crow Creek valley.
Andy graduated from Manhattan Christian in 2009, much to the relief of the teachers. After a very short try at college, Andy returned to Toston to become more involved in the Thousand Hills Angus herd. From a very early age, Andy showed a keen interest and developed a very good eye for cattle. His ability to recall pedigrees, sires, and EPDs was truly amazing. He would spend countless hours each spring studying sire directories, searching for just the right mating to enhance his cowherd genetics. It was under his direction and guidance that, in 2019, Thousand Hills began holding their own production sale.
At a bull sale, (where else) Andy was introduced to Kindle McCauley by mutual friends. He proposed to Kindle in the horse barn at the Smith Ranch in Boulder, where she was doing night calving. They were married November 15, 2014 at the Kleffner Ranch in East Helena on a day where the temperature was well below zero.
Andy and Kindle were blessed with a son, Jackson Wacey, on August 17, 2015 Andy was a very proud dad, and like everything else he did, he gave his parenting job 100 percent.
In April of 2017, Andy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and that began the hardest battle he would face. His strength and unwavering determination to be one of the few to defeat this terrible disease was truly an inspiration to all who knew him.
After 2 rounds of chemotherapy, Andy and Kindle were blessed with their miracle baby. Otis James joined the family on April 19, 2021. Otis has that extra sparkle in his eyes, just like his dad.
Andy was preceded in death by his grandpa, Roger Van Dyken, his grandpa and grandma, Phil and Nene Flikkema, and his mother in law, Anika McCauley.
Left waiting on earth and looking to be reunited with Andy in Heaven are his wife, Kindle, sons Jackson and Otis, parents, Rick and Halane Van Dyken, his brother Kyle (daughter Kenna), his sister Heidi Kool (husband Jason, sons Bridger and Colton), his grandma Mary Anne Van Dyken, and his father in law Jim McCauley.
A celebration of Andy’s life will be held Wednesday, September 7 at 10 AM at the Trailhead Church just north of Townsend. Graveside service will follow at the Radersburg cemetery. As per Andy’s wishes, a potluck lunch will be served, following the services, at the Radersburg Schoolhouse. We are asking those who attend to please bring a salad or desert, and a small cooler with beverages to share. We will provide the meat.
In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate it if instead those gifts would be donated to this foundation :
Osteosarcoma Institute, 3963 Maple Avenue Suite 390, Dallas, TX 75219 https://osinst.org/donate/
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church
20 Trailhead View Dr
Townsend, MT
Graveside Service
Following the Service
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Radersburg Cemetery
Radersburg, MT
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Radersburg Schoolhouse
Radersburg, MT
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church
20 Trailhead View Dr
Townsend, MT
Graveside Service
Following the Service
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Radersburg Cemetery
Radersburg, MT
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Radersburg Schoolhouse
Radersburg, MT
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Sheri Shockman says
Rick and Halean. I am so sorry to hear about your sons passing away. I never got the chance to meet him but he definitely looks like a Vandyken a fine kid it sounds like. There are not enough letters in the alphabet to express my sadness for you two life seems so unfair at times but God has his hand on you and will guide you through this time of sorrow. I am sure Andy is looking down on you and saying don’t cry for me as I am fine We can only imagine what he is seeing up in heaven a great place to be with his grandparents.
Love you both and will be praying for you to feel God holding you close.
Sheri Shockman( Huyser)
Karen Rice says
So sorry to hear this! Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. Greg and Karen Rice
Michelle B Van Dyke says
Such sad news but you know he is watching down on all those he touched. Our hearts break for you and you are in our prayers. Jim and Michelle Van Dyke
Charlie (Chuck) Gephart Jr. says
My family grew up on River Road next to the VanDyken’s. A wonderful family that were very gracious to us. Enjoyed playing baseball in the cow pastures.
Rick and Halane, I can’t imagine your grief. I know you raised a fine young man. All the love that surrounds you at this moment will be the hand on your shoulder to help comfort you through this journey.
God Bless You
Charlie (Chuck) Gephart Jr.
Edward and Diane Cuskelly says
Our thoughts and prayers. Our son also had osteosarcoma. God be with you.
Gwen Leenstra says
Rick and Halane, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your son. Sometimes we wonder why the Lord takes young men and women when it would seem they have so much life yet to live. Such a hard experience for you and his wife and children. We learn though that God gives grace to the hurting to live through the tough days and he gives hope for the future! Life here is brief for all but eternity will be forever. How blessed that will be! My prayers for all of you, Gwen
Lonny and Keri Anderson says
So many things come to mind with this hardship. Rick and Helane! I wish I could take this type of pain from you. Andy was such a trooper. Nothing was going to stop him from being tough and just get her done attitude. I enjoyed his enthusiasm. What a person! I wish there were way more people like him..as my eyes tear up because of this I and Lonny just love ❤️ all of you. Under His Wings and in His Arms🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹
Harry Van Dyken says
I never got to meet Andy. I’m a distant relative living in WA state. Praying for you and your family as you go through this trying time. May God comfort you and give you peace. I look forward to meeting Andy in Heaven.