Obituary for Irene Dyck (Loewen)
Irene Dyck – 1936 - 2023
Quietly, on the morning of March 26, 2023, our beautiful wife, mom, and Omi, Irene Dyck went to her eternal home in heaven.
Irene was born September 4, 1936, in Einlage, Ukraine, the first of five children to David and Maria Loewen. The family emigrated to Canada in 1948, eventually settling in Winnipeg making their home in North Kildonan. Irene always spoke with love about her parents and siblings, and she shared fond memories of her early years.
Irene met her sweetheart and lifetime love Art Dyck, in 1953 when they attended the same wedding reception at their church hall. Art tripped her to get her attention, asked her to dance, and ended up walking her home. They were married August 4, 1956. In 1957, they were blessed with a daughter Angely, son Anthony in 1960, and daughter Alana in 1967, making their family complete. Early years of their marriage began with farming, then led to the start of a cabinet business together with Art's brother. Irene supported every venture, while caring for her young family and helping with business as she could. She was a gifted bookkeeper, and knew the value of a dollar. As the business grew to include construction of houses and then apartment buildings, her dining room table became the company office. Homemaking for Irene was an artform. She took pride in everything domestic and was an excellent seamstress, cook, and baker, appreciating not only the practical side of things, but the beauty and artistry in everything. Whether it was sewing a formal dress, or that pop of colour the carrots made on a plate beside the potatoes, she knew what looked good.
Their lives were full with family and business, but Art and Irene put each other first. Weekends were family time with the kids. Camping was a definite favourite. The family's love of the outdoors led to the purchase of a lot on Shoal Lake in 1970 where they built a cottage still in use by the family today. The hard work of beginning from scratch only made lake life better and the memories sweeter. Also during this time, Art and Irene travelled frequently, together with friends and on their own. Germany and Hawaii were some of their top destinations. Church was an important part of family life. Irene was a Godly woman and knew Jesus as her saviour. She loved music, especially German hymns. Together with their children they regularly attended and were members at North Kildonan Mennonite Church where Irene was a choir member, and enjoyed playing guitar with a small group. Irene's life was full and busy, but she always had time to make Art his favourite dessert, a pie.
As the family grew, children married, and grandchildren began to arrive, Art and Irene bought a cottage in the bay next to the original one where more beautiful memories were made. Always the gracious hostess, everyone knew they could count on something delicious from her kitchen, a superbly outfitted bed made up with sheets dried on the line, and a nice dry towel to take down to the dock. Happy hour with Art and whomever else stopped by was a much loved time of day, where laughter, love, and a bit of red wine could always be found.
With her children grown, and some time for herself, Irene resumed her passion for sewing and became an avid quilter, turning scraps of fabric into works of art. Her yard was a showpiece filled with flowers and plants that were tended with great care, and admired by anyone passing by. As an Omi, Irene was fantastic. She and Art rarely missed grandchildren's sporting events or concerts. They could count on Omi to be their best fan. When great grandchildren came along, those babies too received her love and attention. She loved, prayed for, and was fiercely proud of her family.
In recent years, as dementia slowly took hold of her, life changed. What did not change, was that Art and Irene remained a team until her final breath. When she could no longer care for herself, Art stepped in with patience and an unfailing commitment to his sweetheart. When more help was needed, they relocated to Bethania. The adjustment was not easy especially when visits were restricted by the pandemic. But again, even with her mind and memory failing, Irene was gracious, even in her confusion.
No matter the weather, she always commented that it was a beautiful day. Art faithfully spent dinner times in her room making sure she was eating enough, steadily encouraging her, and continuing their love story in a different way. When the past weeks showed a steady decline, as a family we prepared ourselves to say goodbye. But no amount of preparation is enough to say goodbye to someone so very special. We will miss her dearly.
To mourn her, and to celebrate her life, Irene leaves behind her husband Art; her children, Ang (Morris), Tony (Sylvia), Lani (Theo). Her grandchildren, Jordan, Shanny (Paul), Mark (Steph), Kyle (Dom), Lukas (Teresa), Hannah (Scott), Stephanie (J.J.), Cody (Katie), Austin (Mike), and Alli. Her great grandchildren who referred to her as Omi-Omi, Belle, Nicholas, Ara, Adalein, Kinley, Malcolm, Caius, Theo, Lennon, Isla, Roe, and Smitty. Irene also leaves her siblings, extended family, and many friends.
Thank you to the staff of Bethania Personal Care Home. Many of you took the time to form relationships with her, and could see the great lady she was. Our family is grateful for your kindness.
To honour our loved one's wishes, there will not be a viewing. Family and friends are welcome to join us for the interment at Glen Eden Cemetery, in the Garden of Prayer on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home.
Quietly, on the morning of March 26, 2023, our beautiful wife, mom, and Omi, Irene Dyck went to her eternal home in heaven.
Irene was born September 4, 1936, in Einlage, Ukraine, the first of five children to David and Maria Loewen. The family emigrated to Canada in 1948, eventually settling in Winnipeg making their home in North Kildonan. Irene always spoke with love about her parents and siblings, and she shared fond memories of her early years.
Irene met her sweetheart and lifetime love Art Dyck, in 1953 when they attended the same wedding reception at their church hall. Art tripped her to get her attention, asked her to dance, and ended up walking her home. They were married August 4, 1956. In 1957, they were blessed with a daughter Angely, son Anthony in 1960, and daughter Alana in 1967, making their family complete. Early years of their marriage began with farming, then led to the start of a cabinet business together with Art's brother. Irene supported every venture, while caring for her young family and helping with business as she could. She was a gifted bookkeeper, and knew the value of a dollar. As the business grew to include construction of houses and then apartment buildings, her dining room table became the company office. Homemaking for Irene was an artform. She took pride in everything domestic and was an excellent seamstress, cook, and baker, appreciating not only the practical side of things, but the beauty and artistry in everything. Whether it was sewing a formal dress, or that pop of colour the carrots made on a plate beside the potatoes, she knew what looked good.
Their lives were full with family and business, but Art and Irene put each other first. Weekends were family time with the kids. Camping was a definite favourite. The family's love of the outdoors led to the purchase of a lot on Shoal Lake in 1970 where they built a cottage still in use by the family today. The hard work of beginning from scratch only made lake life better and the memories sweeter. Also during this time, Art and Irene travelled frequently, together with friends and on their own. Germany and Hawaii were some of their top destinations. Church was an important part of family life. Irene was a Godly woman and knew Jesus as her saviour. She loved music, especially German hymns. Together with their children they regularly attended and were members at North Kildonan Mennonite Church where Irene was a choir member, and enjoyed playing guitar with a small group. Irene's life was full and busy, but she always had time to make Art his favourite dessert, a pie.
As the family grew, children married, and grandchildren began to arrive, Art and Irene bought a cottage in the bay next to the original one where more beautiful memories were made. Always the gracious hostess, everyone knew they could count on something delicious from her kitchen, a superbly outfitted bed made up with sheets dried on the line, and a nice dry towel to take down to the dock. Happy hour with Art and whomever else stopped by was a much loved time of day, where laughter, love, and a bit of red wine could always be found.
With her children grown, and some time for herself, Irene resumed her passion for sewing and became an avid quilter, turning scraps of fabric into works of art. Her yard was a showpiece filled with flowers and plants that were tended with great care, and admired by anyone passing by. As an Omi, Irene was fantastic. She and Art rarely missed grandchildren's sporting events or concerts. They could count on Omi to be their best fan. When great grandchildren came along, those babies too received her love and attention. She loved, prayed for, and was fiercely proud of her family.
In recent years, as dementia slowly took hold of her, life changed. What did not change, was that Art and Irene remained a team until her final breath. When she could no longer care for herself, Art stepped in with patience and an unfailing commitment to his sweetheart. When more help was needed, they relocated to Bethania. The adjustment was not easy especially when visits were restricted by the pandemic. But again, even with her mind and memory failing, Irene was gracious, even in her confusion.
No matter the weather, she always commented that it was a beautiful day. Art faithfully spent dinner times in her room making sure she was eating enough, steadily encouraging her, and continuing their love story in a different way. When the past weeks showed a steady decline, as a family we prepared ourselves to say goodbye. But no amount of preparation is enough to say goodbye to someone so very special. We will miss her dearly.
To mourn her, and to celebrate her life, Irene leaves behind her husband Art; her children, Ang (Morris), Tony (Sylvia), Lani (Theo). Her grandchildren, Jordan, Shanny (Paul), Mark (Steph), Kyle (Dom), Lukas (Teresa), Hannah (Scott), Stephanie (J.J.), Cody (Katie), Austin (Mike), and Alli. Her great grandchildren who referred to her as Omi-Omi, Belle, Nicholas, Ara, Adalein, Kinley, Malcolm, Caius, Theo, Lennon, Isla, Roe, and Smitty. Irene also leaves her siblings, extended family, and many friends.
Thank you to the staff of Bethania Personal Care Home. Many of you took the time to form relationships with her, and could see the great lady she was. Our family is grateful for your kindness.
To honour our loved one's wishes, there will not be a viewing. Family and friends are welcome to join us for the interment at Glen Eden Cemetery, in the Garden of Prayer on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home.