Obituary of Martin Henry Dyck

Martin Henry (Hank) Dyck, age 78 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Swift Current Regional Hospital.  Hank was born on March 13, 1946 to Abram and Annie Dyck on the Glen Kerr, Sk. family farm.  Hank was the second oldest of five.

Hank attended Rolling Plains school in Morse, Sk. until grade 8 when he left to begin working.  In the early years, Hank worked as a farm hand, drove cattle liner, co-managed the Green Lite Café & Service Station with his parents in Ernfold, Sk.,  and drove the Moose Jaw, Sk. mail route.  Hank ended his working career with Delta Rock & Sand Ltd.  He took pride in helping build the Sask Landing Marina, gravelling R.M. roads through out Southwest Saskatchewan, hauling gravel to farmers, meeting new people, and making friends at every location.  He also enjoyed over night snow removal where he could be alone with his thoughts. 

Hank married his best friend, Agatha (Sam) Wiebe on March 14, 1969.  Their first daughter, Kimberley, was born in 1971 followed by their second daughter Trina in 1975.  Having only daughters himself, Hank was extremely excited at the arrival of his 2 sons-in-law, Keith Rude and Sheldon Frocklage, plus his three grandsons, Shane (Shondra), Dan (Bonnie) and Ryan Rude.  The family grew to include 5 great grandchildren, Bayne, Dominik, Kaitlin, Aiden and Cruz Rude all of whom held a special place in his heart.

Hank’s family was his greatest pride and joy.  This included not only his wife, children (spouses included), grandchildren and great grandchildren, but his siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and his children’s closest friends.  He looked forward to family reunions and weddings where he could reconnect with everyone, ensuring that everyone was okay and potentially reminisce.  Although Hank was a handshake man, he NEVER denied a goodbye hug to anyone who wanted.

Hank like the simple things in life.  Saturday evenings included winning at whist or crokinole, playing guitar and listening to records.  Sunday mornings normally consisted of fishing at either Lac Pelletier or Duncairn Dam.  He enjoyed observing wildlife, drives in the country to observe crop growth and visiting his old stomping grounds which always included stories from the past.  Hank loved going to visit his friends and family and appreciated when neighbours stopped by for a visit while he was outside working or just having a quick smoke. 

Hank is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sam Dyck; daughters Kim (Keith) Rude and Trina (Sheldon) Frocklage; 3 grandsons; 5 great grandchildren; sisters Betty Zacharias, Elvera (Ray) Hildebrand and Gladys (Marven) Derksen; sisters and brother in-laws Agnes (Abe) Thiessen, Abe (Teresa) Wiebe, Henry (Nancy) Wiebe, Tina (Gale) Dickie and Mary (Doug) Judiesch; and by many nieces, nephews and “adopted” daughters.

Hank was predeceased by his parents Abram and Annie Dyck; brother James (Shirley) Dyck; parents in-law Peter P. and Aganetha Wiebe; brothers and sisters in-laws Delbert Zacharias, Helen (Leo) Lambert, Cornie (Eva) Wiebe, Betty Spooner, Pete (Ruby) Wiebe, Anne (Bill) George and Willie Wiebe; 3 nieces and 5 nephews.

Hank was a very private man and wanted his illness shared only when all test results were received, which is why his passing seemed so sudden.  He also requested no funeral service be held and we, his family, are honoured to respect these wishes. 

Finally, to Hank, dad, grandpa and great grandpa….”yeah, me too”  You are and will always be deeply missed.

Donations in honour of Hank’s memory can be made to the Swift Current SPCA (Online: Donate/SwiftCurrentSPCA.com by Mail: PO Box 1163 Stn Main) or to the Canadian Cancer Society (Online: https://cancer.ca/en)