Obituary of Henry Derksen

DERKSEN Henry (Hank) Daniel, age 90, died peacefully in his sleep on October 11, 2012, in the Swift Current Care Centre. Henry was born in Wymark, Saskatchewan, on January 1, 1922. His parents, Maria (Dyck) and Peter T. Derksen, went on to add to the family his siblings Peter (Ruth), Mary (Arvid Hanson) and Eva (Robert Little). Hank served as a Conscientious Objector during WWII. Hank married Helen Sommerfeld (1923 – 2008) and had a large family. They were married for sixty years. Hank farmed, managed a Revelstoke Lumber yard in Wymark for many years, sold life insurance, and worked at the Pioneer Co-op in Swift Current until his retirement. Many people will know Hank from his years of baseball, golfing, curling, or umpiring. He was active in the Swift Current community serving for many years as a school trustee. He was also a member of, and active in, Zion Mennonite Church. Henry Derksen is survived by his children Grace (Ike Funk), Shirley (Jakob Wiebe), Reg (Teresa Secreti), Sandy (Jay Biem), Joan (George Miklovic), and Lorna (Ryan Epp). His grandchildren are Katharine Funk (Scott Albrecht), Marlis Funk (Ken Harkness), Conrad (Gillian) Funk, Reg (Allison Peters) Wiebe, Stephan (Kalyn) Wiebe, Theo (Krista) Wiebe, Flora Wiebe, Henry Jason Biem, Helen Marjorie Biem, Jonathan Miklovic, Emily Miklovic, Alexandra Epp, Sophia Epp, and Nicholas Epp. His great-grandchildren are John and Anna Albrecht, and Norah Funk. Hank was predeceased by his parents, his wife Helen, his daughter Lynne, his brother Peter Derksen, and his brother-in-law Arvid Hanson. The funeral service was held at Zion Mennonite Church on Monday October 15 at 2 pm. Thank you to those at the Swift Current Care Centre for the care that our father received there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Elim, c/o Zion Mennonite Church 78 – 6 Ave. NE Swift Current, Sask. S9H 2L7. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.