Ada Dyshaw

Ada Marie Dyshaw (83) passed away on October 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Sunny Hill Cemetery (420 SE 6th St, Grimes, IA 50111).

Ada Marie Dyshaw (Wassenaar) was born February 16, 1941, to Joe & Doris Wassenaar in Worthington, Minnesota. She passed away October 19, 2024.

She attended Worthington Christian grade school and graduated from Worthington High School in 1959. That summer she moved to the Chicago area to attend nurse’s training at Roseland Community Hospital from 1959 to 1962. She was voted “most likely to succeed” in her class. Upon graduating, she went to work for Cook County Hospital in the Emergency Room. It didn’t take long for her to realize she would never be able to make Chicago small town America.

In 1963 she married Robert Liska. From that union she had her two children – Lisa Smith (Bill) and David Liska (Ellen).

After a few years working at Cook County Hospital, she was offered a job working at one of their neighborhood clinics. This clinic was a joint effort of Cook County and The Salvation Army. The clinic was located in the heart of “skid row” in an old store front. It was there for the “street people” and those with addictions. She developed a real love for the homeless and those down and out.

In 1979, she married Marvin Dyshaw, a widower with three children – Renee Saxman Fristad (Arvid), Alison Powers (Craig), and Mark Dyshaw (Jennie).

Following retirement in 1998, they moved to Florida and lived near her parents. In 2018, she and Marvin moved to Iowa to live with David.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Richard, and one great grandchild, Evelyn Rodriguez.

She is survived by her two children – Lisa Smith (Bill) & David Liska (Ellen); three bonus children – Renee Fristad (Arvid), Alison Powers (Craig), & Mark Dyshaw (Jennie); Eighteen grandchildren – Eric Saxman, Matthew Saxman, Scott Powers, Tom Powers, Kaleigh Dyshaw, Andrew Dyshaw, Bethany Rodriguez, Abby Della, Katie Mathews, Megan Smith, Tommie Smith, Nathan Smith, Jazzy Smith, Lily Smith, Emily Mohler, Anna Grace Liska, Abigail Liska, Sarah Liska, and five great grandchildren – Hadley Mohler, Rowan Mohler, Shiloh Mohler, Leo Rodriguez & Eleanor Rodriguez.

How do you see the hands of Christ?

Do you see His arms stretched out – hands that are waiting to take your cares, your worries, your concerns, yes, even your broken heart. Do you see hands that are strong and big – big enough to hold you upright in the strongest storm. Do you see the callouses & scars of the nails and the cross He carried? Do you see His hand held out to give you eternal life through those scars?

Or do you see the other side of Christ’s hands? Hands to you that are beautiful and flawless, hands that are gentle and soft, a hand that you want to touch, and when it is touched you can feel the strength pour into yours. A hand that says, “never be afraid.” A hand that gently blesses and shows love with a touch.

Do you see wrinkled hands? Have you known those hands for years? Have they been holding your hand and have they held you up when you were about to stumble? Are they hands that have been there when you were sick? Have they touched a fevered brow? Have they wiped away tears? Have they at times “patted” you and encouraged you to go on, even when you didn’t want to go on? Have they been hands that have opened & closed doors in your life?

Whatever side of Christ’s hand you are seeing today, remember all things go through the hands of Christ. Do you see His palms with the hurts and heartache He wants to take – then turn His hand over and see His beautiful hands – the hands that are blessing. But most of all, put your hand into His, feel His strength, and don’t let go of that hand until you see His face.

Written by Ada Marie Dyshaw in the 1970s