Dyck, Barbara Lou (1949-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jul 3 p. 1

Birth date: 1949 Dec 27

text of obituary:

Services Held at Whitewater For Three Children Who Died in Fire

EMMAUS CHURCH FILLED TO OVERFLOWING FOR TRIPLE SERVICES

Whitewater, Kan. — One of the largest funerals held here within recent years took place Tuesday forenoon as triple services were held at the Emmaus Mennonite Church for the three younger children of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dyck who died when fire destroyed the Dyck residence southeast of Elbing.

Sorrowing relatives and friends filled the church to overflowing, a number listening to the service from outside the building. Rev. L. R. Amstutz, the pastor, officiated, and burial was made in the church cemetery.

Victims of the tragedy which struck the Dyck home early last Saturday morning were Gene, 13, Barbara, 8, and Norma, 7. They were sleeping on the second floor of the large frame house and the parents on the first floor.

The parents were awakened about 4:30 a. m. by the screams of one of the children. Finding the stairway blocked by flames, they called to the children to jump from a window, but only heard the response, “I can't, I can't.”

The Peabody fire department answered the call to the scene but found the house nearly consumed. The cause of the fire was not definitely determined. It was thought that either a butane gas water heater or defective wiring might have been responsible.

Survivors in addition to the parents include a brother, Willis Dyck, and a sister, Mrs. James (Virginia) Cook, both of Newton; and a grandmother, Mrs. J. E. Rempel of Hillsboro.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Oct 16 p. 8

text of obituary:

NORMA, BARBARA AND GENE DYCK

In the mysterious providence of God, He has seen fit to remove from us our three youngest children who were still under the protecting care of our home. Undivided in life, they remain undivided in death and we are assured undivided in resurrection.

Gene Leon Dyck began his earthly pilgrimage on May 27, 1945, at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton. Before the summer vacation, he was attending the Elbing Grade School and had finished the seventh grade. Recently Gene had been working with his father at the Elbing grain elevator. He took great pride in being able to do a job along side of '”dad.” He was of an athletic nature, loved to play basketball and baseball. His parents are proud of his scholastic efforts. As a boy, he had a natural curiosity about machines made by human hands and he wanted to know, “What makes it run?” We were privileged to keep Gene for 13 years.

Barbara Lou Dyck began her short span of eight years on Dec.27, 1949. She had just finished second grade at Elbing Grade School. To Barbara was granted the precious gift of a companion in the form of her sister, Norma Faye, age 7, who was born on March 10, 1951. Norma had just finished the first grade at Elbing Grade School. Norma and Barbara were of a good natured disposition, and both enjoyed school immensely.

All three children talked of their love for their Master and Saviour. They had expressed their concern for the victims of the Eldorado tornado and they inquired if these also loved Jesus as they did. One outstanding character trait of Barbara and Norma was their expression of love for their mother. Many times during the day — and this happened every day — they would devise various ways of passing messages and notes to their mother saying, “I love you very much.”

All three passed away at approximately 5:00 a. m. on June 28,1958, to rest safely in the arms of Jesus.

They leave to mourn their departure Mother and father; brother Willis and his wife Alyce and nephew Alan; their sister Virginia and her husband, James Cook; their grandmother, Mrs. J. E. Rempel of Hillsboro, Kan., and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

They were laid to rest Tuesday, July 1, 1958 at 10 a. m. at Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater, Kan., Rev. L. R. Amstutz officiating. — Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Dyck.