Obituary of Tena G. Dyck

February 18, 1928 – November 5, 2016 Tena Dyck (nee Striemer), age 88, died Saturday, November 5, 2016. Tena was born on February 18, 1928 in Hague, Saskatchewan. She was the 3rd youngest in her family, which included 7 brothers and 7 sisters. She had many fond memories of her childhood, while living near the South Saskatchewan River where her father operated the Hague Ferry. She was diagnosed with rheumatic fever around age 7. She started working at the early age of 8 or 9 to help her parents provide for the family. Tena married Isaac J. Dyck on April 28, 1950. They raised five children and enjoyed 43 years of marriage, living in Waldheim most of these years. Grandchildren also played a very important role in both their lives. Tena was a very dedicated and hard worker, whether it was a seamstress or cook at the Menno Home in Waldheim where she worked for 20 years, or at home where she worked tirelessly as a mother to raise her children. We could often hear her whistle a tune or sing hymns while doing her work. Her kindness and generosity touched so many lives. She had many self-taught talents such as gardening, sewing, knitting, cooking and baking. She didn’t need recipes to make tasty meals, and her homemade bread was a delicious family staple at mealtime in our home. When her health started failing and she was unable to live alone, the family moved her to Red Deer, Alberta, where she lived with family until a permanent place was found for her. The first few years in her new location she was still capable of reading the Bible, crochet and knit, but as her eyesight began to fail (cataracts) she reluctantly had to give up these few things that occupied her days and brought her joy. There were two things she was still able to do, play hymns on her harmonica and recite Bible verses she knew for memory. This last year for her was very challenging. It was because of her unrelenting determination and overwhelming faith, she was able to cope with all the pain she had to endure. As her body was growing more frail, she openly spoke of the glorious day when God would call her home. Her lifelong journey has now come to an end and we, as a family, have been truly blessed by this amazing woman we are proud to call “Mother”, “Grandmother” and “Great Grandmother”. Tena was predeceased by her husband (Isaac) and two infant children (Pearl Anne and Ronald). She is survived by her sisters Anne (Aaron) Fast in Fort St. John, B.C.; Hilda (Ben) Harder in Saskatoon, and her five children and their families: 1. Stan (Cecilia) Dyck in Calgary; their son Dalton and his daughters Chelsea and Kyara; son Stacy (Darlene) and their daughters Raelynn and Christina; and daughter Chelsea and her son Jesse and daughter Chantel; and Chantel’s daughter Paeyten and son Caleb. 2. Laverna Philip in Red Deer; her sons Tim (Leslie) Unruh in Red Deer and their daughters Bailey and Nicole and son Griffin; and Kevin Unruh and his sons James and Cole. 3. Rosemary (Doug) Lane in Andover, Kansas, and their son Brent. 4. Arden (Jackie) Dyck in Saskatoon; their daughter Richelle (Kyle) Olson and their son Beckett; and their son Andrew Dyck. 5. Pearl (Gary) Frostad in Caron, Sask.; and their two sons Devon (Rebecca), and Christopher (Shae). The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Ben Pauls officiating. Interment will take place in Waldheim Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK (306-232-5245, http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca).