Tribute

Henry has distinct memories of early childhood in Neuhorsr, Ukraine where he was born during the Stalin rule. They were desperately poor and did not have enough food to eat.  His mother made slippers for her children using the fleece from sheep.  He remembers his first pair of store- bought shoes at the age of seven.  In 1943 the German Army retreated west and the family moved west to Poland and after several months to Germany for safety.  The Russians were taking Poland.  It was  during the cover of darkness the family illegally bypassed the roadblocks travelled to West Germany.
When he was 12 years old the family landed in Quebec and settled in Swift Current Sask. It was here that he formally began  school.  After working for a farmer for 3 years , Father decided to move to Coaldale, Alberts.  All the family worked on a beet farm.     After high school, Henry enjoyed Didsbury Bible school, where he was assured of his faith.  In the summers he with his 2 brothers helped building roads and dams.  After receiving a journeyman’s certificate from SAID, Calgary he worked as a mechanic. His back could not tolerate this work.  He took 2 semesters at CMBC Winnipeg, Mb.; met Anne there and was married in 1963.
After receiving his B.Ed. In Regina,  He taught middle school in Shanavon, Sask. for 5 yrs.  An opening appeared in Winnipeg  to teach Automotive in a regional night school.  We were blessed with 2 children born in Regina and Andrew in Winnipeg. In 1981 we moved to B.C. to support Anne’s aging mother.
Christian education was very important to Henry. He taught Sunday School in every church we attended from age 17. He enjoyed road trips and never forgot  the roads and places we visited.  Last fall he had some symptoms of bowel pain but by February after several scans showed inoperable colon cancer stage 4.  We prayed and he was at peace with the decision.  He was 12 days hospitalized with very good care in the palliative unit. Many thanks staff.
Henry was predeceased by his parents Cornelia and Jacob Dyck, brother Jake (Anne), sister Anni (Peter Wiebe) and sister Helena (John Graham) . Left to morn his passing is his wife Anne;  3 children: Wesley with Rebecca and Luke; Floranne; Andrew (Anita Chapman) with Andy and Jack; his oldest sister Nelly and  brother John and Amelia in Calgary and numerous cousins (Coaldale ) and nieces and nephews.