Charles Dyk

Charles “Chuck” “Charlie” Dyk

Chuck’s life on earth ended on July 9th and he entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after a long and hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Chuck was born in Bozeman, MT on October 13, 1946. He was the first-born child to Egbert and Isabelle Dyk. Later, he was joined by his siter Donna and brother Dwight.

Chuck accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at an early age. He learned hard work on the family’s farm in Amsterdam, MT and that trait stayed with him for the remainder of his life. Chuck graduated from Manhattan High School in 1964, spent a little time in Denver, Co and then moved to Billings in 1965. He went to work with his uncle Art Dyk in the construction trades. C. Dyk Construction was born in those years, and Chuck would become a dedicated carpenter and contractor in Billings and the surrounding areas for over fifty years; working with his uncle Art, cousin Bill, and son Brian for much of his career. Chuck’s craftsmanship, strength, and ability as a carpenter was something to behold, but his greatest work was in the relationships and friendships he built along the way. Chuck could get the job done and had a unique ability to endear himself to his customers and the people he worked with. Many of them were his friends before he drove a nail for them, and they remained good friends long after the project was completed.

On August 6, 1966, Chuck married his high school sweetheart Karen Mitchell in Bozeman, MT. Sons Craig and Brian came along in 1973 and 1977. Chuck loved his family. He loved following his boys’ sports and activities as they grew up and especially got excited about West High Football. Those were good years for Chuck. Chuck and Karen divorced in 1998. While this was a difficult time, Chuck eventually picked himself up and carried on.

Chuck enjoyed going on occasional hunting and fishing outings. He loved the mountains and being outdoors. In his younger years, he would head out with good friends backpacking and enjoyed many Labor Day weekend sheep hunting trips in the Spanish Peaks with his good friend Dick Fellows. While he never bagged a sheep, he was able to go on some successful sheep and mountain goat hunts with good friends and family and was the guy you wanted around when you had an animal down in the mountains.

Chuck was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017. He continued to live alone and try to do some work around his house, but in December of 2021 living alone became too much and he moved to Circle, MT to live with his son Craig and daughter-in-law Jody. While in Circle, he enjoyed his Tuesday and Friday lunches at the Senior Center, checking cows and visits with Myron Gackle (Jody’s dad), and church with the body of Christ at Circle Evangelical, and just being near those he loved and who loved him.

Chuck moved to Highgate Assisted Living in September 2022 and eventually memory care in Billings. While in their care, he enjoyed and appreciated the folks who helped him. He especially enjoyed the frequent visits from his son Brian and his old friend and pet dog Maggie. Brian and Dad had worked together for many years. Striving together and giving their best in their trade created a special bond between father and son. He loved Brian dearly and appreciated him very much. When Craig was able to come down for a visit, the first question was “Where’s Brian?”.

The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Highgate and Compassus for their wonderful care and thoughtfulness in Chuck’s final years.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Egbert and Isabelle Dyk and his former in-laws Dean and Laura Jean Mitchell.

Chuck is survived by his former wife Karen; sons Craig (Jody) and Brian; Grandsons Nathan (Kinsie) and Seth; sister and brother Donna Eakman and Dwight (Lynette).

A private family memorial will be held in his honor. Chuck will be laid to rest at the Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park in Billings, MT.