Ben R. Dyck

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Ben R. Dyck
December 3, 1930 - May 26, 2017

Peacefully, with the family by his side, Ben Dyck, age 86, passed away on Friday, May 26, 2017, at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach, MB.

He will be missed by his wife Dorothy, and his children: son Ken & Barb Dyck; daughters: Karen & Clarence Geransky, Barb & Al Blue, and Deb & Kurt Orbanski; his grandchildren: Jackie (Randy) Koop, Barry Dyck (Jodie Robbins), Kristie (Wade) Jans, Michael Woronowski, Shaun Blue, Greg Blue, Jessica (Mark) Wiebe, Ashley (Ray) Charriere, and Josh Orbanski; his great-grandchildren: Porter, Hudson, Ramsey, Harper, Piper, Cheyenne, Laila, Kayden, Jeremiah, Shayne, Teagan, Bella, JJ, and Chance; sister Margaret & Albert Kihn; step-daughters: Barb & Phil Guenther, Lynn & Gary Neufeld and step-son Ken Fehr and their families.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary (Martens), infant daughter, Dolly May, infant grandson, Jordan Orbanski, his parents and 11 brothers and sisters.

Dad grew up on a farm in the Ste. Anne area. He was baptized upon the confession of his faith in the Grunthal Chortitzer Mennonite Church in 1953. The following year he married our mother, Mary Martens, and they raised a family of four children.

In our younger years, many weekends were spent fishing and camping at Moose Lake with family and friends.

Most of Dad's career was spent driving big trucks; starting at Barkman Concrete, Penner Transfer and then Canada Post. At this time, he also started his own landscaping business and was very successful because he had good "euwa moat". After several years, he sold his tractor and joined Pete's Landscaping, where he worked until his retirement. Even though Dad spent most of his days driving a truck, sunny Sunday afternoons were spent on long drives with pit stops for chips, Pepsis and revels.

Dad's other love, beside his family, were his horses. When we were younger, there was always a riding horse for us and as he got older, he found a love for draft horses. He spent many years being a member of the Southeast Draft Horse Association, where he took part in parades, plowing exhibitions at the museum, and weekend trail rides to the Marchand area. Winter sleigh rides, with bells on the harnesses on a crisp night, were the most special times.

In 2011, Dad married Dorothy Fehr. Together they resided at Fernwood for the last three years, where they spent many hours visiting with dear friends and family.

For the most part, Dad had a very healthy life, up until his stroke eight months ago. After spending four months in the Steinbach hospital, he was transferred to the Vita hospital, and then the care home.

On Saturday, May 20th, he suffered another debilitating stroke and spent his last five days back in Steinbach, surrounded by his family.

We, the family, would like to thank both the Steinbach and Vita staff for the excellent care our father received in his final days.

There will be a viewing on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Viewing also at the chapel prior to the service.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Interment will follow at Memorial Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee on their website at mcccanada.ca or MCC Canada, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Or
Mennonite Heritage Village Museum on their website at www.mhv.ca or MHV 231 PTH 12N, Steinbach, MB, R5G 1T8.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on May 29, 2017