Nettie Dyck

Nettie Dyck, age 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at the Herbert & District Integrated Healthcare Facility, Herbert, SK.

Nettie (Penner-Rooker) Dyck was born on August 21, 1936, to Jacob & Aganetha Penner on the family farm near Glen Kerr, SK. Nettie grew up on the family farm with her eleven siblings. Regardless of the work demands on the farm, Nettie and her siblings always found time for fun and music, building bonds that lasted a lifetime.

Nettie met James (Jim) Rooker through one of her brothers and they started dating. When they decided to get married, Nettie found work housekeeping at the Moose Jaw Hospital to earn money for her wedding dress and bouquet. They were married on November 15, 1957. Nettie then made the 5 mile move to what would be her home for the next 57 years.

Nettie absolutely loved life on the farm. She could often be found fencing, hauling bales, driving tractor, milking cows, raising pigs, chickens, and her children, along with growing large gardens — yet these were just a fraction of the jobs that filled her days. Nettie also enjoyed spending time in the house cooking, cleaning, baking, and canning, as well as keeping up with her four girls. However, her most precious times were spent outdoors helping Jim on the farm.

Over the years, they welcomed five girls — Karen (1958), Lois (1960), Bonnie (1961) (predeceased in infancy), Gloria (1964), and Marjorie (1968). Even with Nettie keeping busy with all her daily tasks, she somehow still found time to make clothing for her girls. In 1975, the family moved into mom’s dream home. Gone were the days of a chemical toilet and coal pail, traded in for running water and a furnace. Nettie didn't fuss about any of her chores, other than dusting — she hated dusting. From the time Karen was old enough until the day Marge left home, she managed to name that as the girl’s job.

On the farm, after a hot day of summer work, Nettie & Jim would often take their daughters down to Rolling Plains Lake for a swim. Her and Jim always found time in their busy lives to make family a priority, whether that was gathering Sunday afternoons after church, or hauling their family to go visit relatives. Aside from her family, Nettie was also a big part of her community, being a member of the Glen Kerr Coffee Club and the Glen Kerr Community Church.

Nettie & Jim celebrated their 25th anniversary in the fall of 1982. Then, on May 9, 1983, Jim died in a farming accident. After becoming a widow, Nettie was able to keep the cows around for a few years while also renting out the land. To supplement her income, she began cleaning houses. During her years alone, Nettie made sure to spend time with her siblings and family.

In 1992, Nettie met Herbert Dyck and they were married on November 20, 1993. Because Herb was working as a farmhand near Riverhurst, they spent a few years between there and the farm. They moved back to the farm in 1998, after Herb retired. Nettie eventually had to make the tough decision to sell the homestead. In June of 2014, they then bought a house in Morse, making the difficult decision to leave their treasured farm life behind. Nettie had a difficult time adapting to life in town and experienced many health issues in the last few years. In December of 2020, she and Herb moved into the Prairie Wind Estate in Herbert, where Nettie resided until her needs grew beyond the facility.

Nettie will be remembered especially for her love of crocheting, knitting, quilting, and making denim blankets, which were usually gifted to friends and family. She will also be remembered for being an avid gardener, as she grew a bounty of vegetables and beautiful flowers. She created lasting memories as she spent time baking and playing games with her grandchildren. To this day, Nettie’s cream cookies and Rulkulke have not been replicated and were always a favourite that no one could resist. Although Nettie will be greatly missed, she leaves behind a family legacy that will continue far beyond her lifetime.

Nettie was predeceased by her first husband, James Rooker; her daughter, Bonnie, in infancy; her parents, Jacob & Aganetha Penner; her parents-in-law; her stepdaughter, Gail; her stepson-in-law, Bob; four brothers and three sisters; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law; and by several nieces and nephews.

Nettie leaves to mourn her husband, Herb Dyck; her daughter, Karen (Brien) Thiessen and their children, Cheryl (Ian) and Jeff (Katie); her daughter, Lois (Bob) Moss and their children, Trevor (Jen), Lisa (Trevor), and Bonnie; her daughter, Gloria (Bill) and their children, Jaime (Ross) and Thomas (Lauren); her daughter, Marjorie (Dale) and their children, Travis (Fayth), Nicole (Carter), and Kari; her stepdaughter, Sharon Kirwan, and her family, Tyler (Brittany),  Anne, Bartley (Kelsey), Daniel (Sharla), and David (Elisa); her stepson, Kelvin; her stepdaughter, Gail’s, children, Ryan (Carmen), Jeff, Tenille (Shane), and Laci (Collin); her numerous great-grandchildren; her sisters, Tina, Lena, and Martha; her brother, Ben (Doreen); her brother-in-law, Edwin; her sisters-in-law, Marjorie and Daphne; and by many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thank you to Aunt Lena. You were always there to lend a hand whenever needed and were a very constant blessing in mom’s life. Also, a huge thank you for the exceptional care of the staff at Prairie Wind Estate and the Herbert Integrated Health Facility.

Due to a family emergency, the Funeral Service for Nettie Dyck on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 was postponed and a Private Family Graveside Service was held Saturday, February 12 from the Log Valley Cemetery, Glen Kerr District, SK. A public Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. 

In memory of Nettie Dyck, donations made to Prairie Wind Estate (1329 Herbert Ave, Herbert, SK, S0H 2A0) would be appreciated by the family.

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