Over the spring break week, UNI lost a member of its family. Jay W. Dykstra, senior business major, passed away while  in Las Vegas. 

“Jay is the most out-going, kind-hearted, energetic and hard working man I have ever met in my life,” said Andy McDermott, a close friend of Dykstra’s who graduated from UNI in December with a degree in business management.

The two worked at Peppers Grill and Sports Bar together.

Dykstra, who was graduating in May, recently accepted a full-time position at Aerotek in Hiawatha.

Dykstra was from Denver, Iowa and loved football, baseball, softball, hanging out with friends, family, his girlfriend, Shae, and his dog, Mila, McDermott said.

Public visitation will be held Friday, March 27 from 4-7:30 p.m. at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly, Iowa. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly, Iowa. 

“I miss and love Jay so much,” McDermott said.

McDermott said Dykstra died as a result of an accident, but no further results were available.

It is unclear if alcohol was involved. There is no more available information at this time.