Abe Dyck

Abe P. Dyck, age 88, peacefully entered into the Lord’s presence on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at the Herbert Integrated Health Care Facility. Abe was born on October 1, 1926, twelve miles north of Gouldtown, SK. He shared a small house with his parents, four brothers and five sisters. When his mother passed away in 1941, Abe had to leave home at the age of thirteen to find work because times were tough. He worked with a threshing crew at Beechy, SK, sending half his wages home to help support his family. He continued working as a farm hand with a local rancher for nine years. During this time, Abe met the love of his life, Betty Cornelson, who was also working in the Beechy area.  Abe headed west and found work at a bush camp in Winfield, AB and hauled logs for several winters. On September 18, 1950, Abe married Betty in Brooks, AB. Abe found work in the coal mines packing timbers in Coleman, AB. He trained and received his certificate for blasting and worked night shifts in the coal mines. It was his job to rock-drill and blast the coal which the day crew would then remove. Abe & Betty lived in Coleman, AB for four years where Patrick and Joyce were born. In 1959, Marlowe was born in Herbert. In the mid-1950’s Abe received Jesus into his heart as Lord and Savior and continued to serve Him all of his life. Abe loved to share his love of Jesus and would recite his favorite scripture verses at family gatherings. Abe was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He served as a Sunday School teacher for children and adults, as well as a church board member. Abe was always willing to lend a hand for various functions and repairs to the church building. Many hours were spent in prayer for his family and friends. In his spare time he enjoyed playing games and doing word search puzzles. Rook was always his favorite Friday night card game. Abe enjoyed the ball games and races at the Sunday School Picnics. He usually came in first place at the races. He also loved curling and broom ball in the winter months. The family moved to Herbert in 1954 where Abe began his farming career. He had many jobs in the off season including driving cat and scraper in the Chaplin salt mines, housing construction, and highway construction. Abe helped install power to communities near Kincaid, SK. He worked for the PFRA as a supervisor building irrigation ditches and canals and for over thirty years he was the ditch rider in the Herbert area.  Abe also worked in the town of Herbert helping build the existing school and various other buildings, and assisted with the installation of water, sewer and natural gas in Herbert. The family bought and moved to their current farm location in 1972. Abe & Betty always had a large garden producing an abundance of vegetables that they shared with family and friends. If possible, Abe would take one week of summer vacation with his family each year. These trips took them to the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Banff, Radium Hot Springs, Saco, Montana, Kenosee Lake, and White Bear. Abe & Betty’s travels also included Arizona, California and Hawaii. Abe loved his grandchildren and they loved him. He was very interested in what they were doing, their accomplishments and education. In January 2015 after a fall, he was admitted to the Herbert Hospital and later transferred to long term care. Abe was predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty; and by a beloved granddaughter, Rachelle Brown. He is survived by his children, Pat (Barbara) Dyck, Joyce (Jerry) Brown, Marlowe (Connie) Dyck; and by his grandchildren, Marlowe (Pam) Brown, Christine and Jessica Dyck.

The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 3:00 pm from the Alpine Church of God, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Alex Allan officiating. The pianist for the service was Sharon Penny with special music brought by Josh & Keri Erb singing, “Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone”. Tributes were shared by his family, Pat Dyck, Marlowe Dyck, Joyce Brown and Barb Dyck and by a Slide Presentation. “Are You Washed in the Blood” and “Old Rugged Cross” were sung by the congregation. The life history was read by Pastor Alex Allan. Honorary Pallbearers were All of Abe’s Family and Friends. The Interment Service preceded the Funeral Service and was held at the Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK with his family serving as pallbearers. For those wishing, donations made to Twin Lakes Ranch Ministries, Box 1175, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4P9 would be appreciated by the family. 

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