JOHN PETER DYCK

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JOHN PETER DYCK John passed away peacefully on November 20, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anne; his children Kenneth (Karen), Gerald (Margo), Michael, Judith (James Flett) and Karen (Rod Keiller); his grandchildren Megan (Daniel) Kroeker, Larissa Dyck, Jeremy Dyck, Tristan Hunt, Leslie Hunt, Jayden Dyck, Coel Flett and Rhys Flett; and his sister Helen Doerksen. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters Olga, Tina, Peter, Lydia, and Herman. John was born in Russia on February 25, 1924 and immigrated to Canada in his mother, Katherine's, arms at two years of age. He lost his father, Peter Dyck, when he was six and was lovingly raised by his mother and siblings. He excelled at school, with his favourite subjects being math, science and geography. He took over the Domain family farm at age 17 as his older brother Herman was called up to serve during the Second World War. John was an excellent farmer and a diligent steward of the land. He was a gentle pillar of strength and integrity who believed in community service and contributed to many organizations including Springstein Mennonite Church, Manitoba Pool Elevators, the Domain Co-op, and Christian Investors in Education. In his later years he enjoyed his cottage at Lake Manitoba and travelling to Columbia with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) to help the country develop its canola industry, to Africa with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and to China with CESO. John lived a full and blessed life. He was a man of faith who loved his wife, children, their spouses and his grandchildren deeply. His large extended network of brother and sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces were another important part of his life. He leaves us all with many fond memories and a legacy of care and generosity. Viewing will be at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 22, 2012 at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. Interment will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, November 23, at LaSalle Mennonite Cemetery, followed by a service of remembrance at Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Street, at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served after at the church. A special thanks to Charleswood Care Centre and Bev and Shelley for caring for Dad in his last years and to Dr. Kumar and the staff in ICU at Grace Hospital for helping him through the last steps of his journey. In lieu of flowers, John would have appreciated donations being made in his memory to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2012