Obituary of Irene Mildred Dyck

It is with deep sadness and much love that the family of Irene Mildred Dyck (Nee Christiansen) announces her very peaceful passing on October 26, 2022 at the age of 86 years, gratefully at home with her family at her bedside.  Irene leaves to cherish her memory her four daughters: Rosemarie (Allen) Ollen of Calgary, AB;  Rhonda (David) Dorris of Cranbrook, BC;  Kim Austin (Barry Woods) of Moyie BC; Shelly Schock of Medicine Hat AB; her grandchildren: Jordy (Amy Moate) of Craigieburn Vic Australia; Parker Dorris and Aaron Dorris of Cranbrook; Robin Irwin of Oliver BC; Nikki (Darren) Stratton of Medicine Hat; Michaela (Landyn) Schnell of Medicine Hat; Jennifer Ollen of Summerland BC and her great-grandchildren: Savanna, Tanner, Riley, Easton and Liam Stratton;  Ayla Irwin;  Kinsley and Sylvie Dorris; Jessica, Chase and Mathias Ollen.  She is also survived by her siblings: her brother Kai Alvin (Laurette) Christiansen; and sisters: Anne Hooey; Lorna Goddu; and Tova Lamonte; her many nieces and nephews, friends from the Scandinavian Lodge and many others. 

Irene was born in Shaunavon, SK and grew up living on the family farm, located 13 miles north of Admiral SK. She attended grades 1 to 8 at Sherman School and 9 to 12 at Admiral School. She had four daughters with her first husband Dervin Austin, living at times in; Swift Current, SK, Medicine Hat, AB and Golden, BC. When she and Dervin separated, she and her girls moved back to Swift Current for a time, then to Rutland, BC and to Cranbrook.  Irene met and married Henry Dyck; they lived in Medicine Hat, and moved back to Cranbrook when they retired.

 Irene loved working with the elderly and disabled as a Nurse’s Aide at the Geriatric Hospital in Swift Current and as an Occupational Therapist Aide, at Cranbrook Hospital’s – Extended Care Unit.

Irene is known to all as a gentle, kind, loving, amazing lady, always ready to give what she could to those in need.  She loved her family with passion and compassion.  She loved all animals, domestic and wild and always had treasured pets in her life; she also, very much enjoyed bird watching.  She grew the most wonderful vegetable gardens and amazing flowers.  Body aching, and hands crippled with arthritis didn’t slow her down, on the contrary, it made her more determined and strong, becoming a beacon for all those that knew her.  She loved cross stitch and amazed everyone with the beautiful pieces of art that she stitched.  When she had to give up the cross stitch she kept her mind sharp with word search puzzles.  She loved floor curling and competed in a number of Senior Games. 

Irene was predeceased by her husband Henry Dyck; her ex-husband Dervin Austin; her parents Thimes (Tim) and Johanne Christiansen.

The family wishes to give our grateful thanks to Dr. Ashlee King and Dr. Caroline Shilhan for your compassion and assistance so that mom could peacefully be released from her pain.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date