Obituary of Walter Dyke

DYKE – Walter Irvin, Dad was born July 20, 1924 at Herbert, SK. He left us July 2, 2009 after a long battle with emphysema. He was the third child of Abram and Margaret Dyck. The family homesteaded in the Rush Lake area until 1929 when they moved into Swift Current. Dad was the first of our line to attend Central School. As he grew he held a variety of jobs that led him into the meat and grocery field. Dad enlisted in the Air Force in 1943 and was an airframe mechanic at Commonwealth Training bases across Canada. On his discharge he returned to Swift Current and began his life long career as a bookkeeper. He learned his trade at Burke and Son, a local company providing heating oil, coal and ice to local homes. Dad married Beth Lowick on May 9, 1949. They had two children; Sandra and Bob. Dad continued with Burke’s until he and Jerry Fulmer went into partnership and started up a plumbing business of their own. As that business closed, dad went to work for Cinema Theatre – back with Burke’s. This is where dad was best known. Either the Cinema or the Drive In. He was bookkeeper, maintenance man, janitor, delivery man and whatever else he needed to be. He continued to work there until 1975 when the theatres were sold. He ended up with his brothers at Dyck’s packers where he worked until the shop closed. Dad floated around different jobs for a bit. He went to work at Tel Rite Services as a bookkeeper until he retired. On retirement dad was free to pursue home renovations. He did his own plumbing and woodworking. dad was well known all over town not only for the theatres but for visiting with people. He would talk to anyone, even people he did not know. In retirement he would go on patrols over the same route everyday, stopping and talking to people, just making his rounds. The Palliser staff got quite an exposure to his stories. Whether they had time or not, he was going to tell his stories. He know he was not coming out of the Palliser and he revisited the faith that he learned from his parents. He did his best to remain upbeat and keep looking ahead. Dad is predeceased by his parents, Abram and Margaret Dyck; parents-in-law, Harry and Isabel Lowick; brothers Alvin and Jake Dyck; brothers-in-law Morton Lowick, Marshall Lowick, Herb Lynnes and Jim Bailey; sister-in-law Eleanor Dyck, nephew Stan Dyck and great-granddaughter Jayden Dyke. Dad is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beth; his daughter Sandra Schultz; his son Bob (Shirley) Dyke; grandchildren, Brad Schultz (Brandie Kohlman); Richard Dyke (Reanne); Christina Dyke, Dallas Dyke; great- grandchildren, Shyla, Kylie and Jonathyn Dyke; sister Adina Bailey; sisters-in-law Doris Lynnes and Mar Dyck; brothers Harry (Francis) and Arnold Dyck as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from Alpine Church of God with Pastor Bob Emerson officiating. The Royal Canadian Legion served as Honor Guard and the ushers were Reg Fortman and Nelson Pompu. A tribute to his dad was read by son, Bob Dyke. The interment will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery – Veterans Section. Donations may be made to the Palliser Regional Care Centre Auxiliary. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at www.parksidefuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.