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KATRINA DYCK
It is with love in our hearts that we announce the passing of Katrina (Tina) Dyck aged 105 years at Prairie View Lodge in Pilot Mound, MB on Sunday December 31, 2023.
Tina is survived by her sister, Mary Dyck, sister-in-law, Margaret Froese and nieces and nephews who all treasure many memories of time spent with her. She was predeceased by her husband, Abe, brothers, Ike and George, brother-in-law, Jake Dyck and sister-in-law, Connie Froese.
Tina was born in a farmhouse near Hoffnungsort in 1918. In the fall of 1928, the family loaded up their possessions and livestock and walked 14 miles to their new home in Burwalde. This farm and the Burwalde School were very special to Tina. She was an amazing historian and we all learned so much from her about the early days in Burwalde. In 1943, upon applying for a teacher permit, Tina received a position in a rural school north of Treherne. Despite some hardships, she discovered that she enjoyed the classroom and could make a difference in the lives of young children. Tina attended Normal School and graduated in 1946. Tina was united in marriage to Abe Dyck on July 26, 1949. They moved to a farm in the 1-6 district south of Morden in May 1950. Abe and Tina lived on the farm for 31 years and Tina continued her teaching profession. In her 25 years of teaching, Tina taught in seven one-room schools. She was so special to her students. Her Deer Creek School pupils sent her letters on her 105th birthday expressing what she meant to them. One quote sums up Tina’s impact. “Education was so important to you, Mrs. Dyck. You dedicated all of your efforts to each and every child. You taught me compassion, patience, empathy and kindness. Mrs. Dyck, you inspired me to be a better person. You gave of yourself in hopes that each of your students would make the world a better place.” Tina and Abe retired to the town of Morden in October 1981. She was able to take two trips to Arizona and Tina and Abe made a few trips to Alberta and Saskatchewan. After Abe’s passing, Tina and her niece travelled to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Tina was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast well into her last years. Many family members are recipients of the lovely, embroidered handiwork and afghans that she produced. It was important to Tina to keep connected and she penned many long newsy letters in her beautiful handwriting to family, friends and past students. Tina was also our family historian and supplemented her incredible memory with notes and photographs. She continued to reside in her home in Morden until November 2022. Many thanks to the staff at Prairie View Lodge for all the care and compassion Tina received there in her last months.
A celebration of Tina’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024, at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, 1050 Thornhill St., in Morden.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tina’s memory to the BTHC Foundation, Box 2000 Winkler, MB, R6W 1H8 or to the Canadian Wildlife Federation 350 Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata, ON, K2M 2W1.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2024, Jan 06, 2024