Dyck, Marie Wiebe (1862-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jul 20 p. 4

Birth date: 1862 Apr 25

text of obituary:

— A pioneer resident of the Whitewater community, Mrs. Marie W. Dyck, passed away at her home northwest of Whitewater last Saturday afternoon at the age of 88, and funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Emmaus church. Mrs. Dyck came to this country from West Prussia in 1890 and had lived on the same farm since 1891. Her husband, Herman Dyck, died in 1922. She is survived by four children, Marie M. Dyck of Wichita, Freda J., Liesbeth E., Herman J. Dyck of the home, and a number of brothers and sisters.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jul 27 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. MARIE DYCK

Marie Dyck, daughter of Jacob and Renathe (Ensz) Wiebe, was born on April 25, 1862, in Leske, Neuteich, West Prussia, Germany. When dess [sic] than two years of age she lost her mother through death leaving her father with four small children, ranging in age from five years to five days. The father, anxious to care for his children, remarried on October 30, 1866, giving her and her one brother and two sisters another mother who faithfully cared for them. She was privileged to enjoy her youth and school years in the home and local community. Later, with her younger sister, she entered a girls' school in the nearby city of Marienburg.

On June 15, 1879, she was baptised upon the confession of her faith by Rev. Wilhelm Fast in the Mennonite church at Heubuden, Germany, and joined the small group that for conscientious reasons decided to leave their home country to find religious freedom in a new and strange land. In the summer of 1890 she came with her family, relatives and friends to the distant America, settling on a farm one mile north of the Emmaus Mennonite church. She joined this church upon arrival and remained a faithful member until death.

On August 21, 1891, she was united in marriage to Herman Dyck who had come to this country and joined the Emmaus congregation ten years earlier. They established their home on the farm where she lived until the Lord call [sic] her Home. To this union six children were born.

In the fall of 1908, and again in the spring of 1909 she underwent major operations, but the Lord granted recovery. ‘ Why?” This “why" was answered in that God gave her another 41 years of health and strength—a Godsend which is not granted to many.

On August 21, 1916, it was the privilege of the parents to celebrate the silver wedding and share this occasion with relatives, and friends. Here again they were reminded of their wedding text: “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Exodus 33:15). And how often they have relied on the presence of the Lord and His guiding hand.

Although Father Dyck had been aging for some time, from now on his health began to fail more rapidly. She considered it a privilege to care for him in his declining years. He quietly went to his heavenly home on October 17, 1922. This loss was keenly noticable [sic] in her life, but God gave her strength to bear the loss.

She very much enjoyed attending church services and when a Sunday came when we stayed at home on account of the weather Mother would say, "It hardly seems like Sunday when we are not in church.” She took a keen [sic text missing in original] ed as teacher for her class from 1925 to 1939.

Sunday, April 27, 1947, was a special day of thanksgiving to God for our mother. The Lord had given guidance, protection and care so that in exceptional health she was privileged to celebrate her 85th birthday, sharing the festival with relatives and friends.

It was soon noticed that she was becoming forgetful. In the spring of 1948 she suddenly became weak. We feared that she might leave us but again her strength rallied. At times she experienced dizzy spells. On Saturday, July 15, she suffered a stroke, affecting her right side. Although light, it was too much for her already weak condition. At 3:50 the time of her departure had come. She reached the age of a little over 88 years.

She lived a life that was outstanding in thoughtfulness for others, too often forgetting herself. Our worries were her worries; our problems were her problems. Mother’s life was a life spent in singing hymns to praise. Seldom was there a time that she was too tired to sing to us. Although her lips are silent, the memory of her love and devotion to her family, her prayers in our behalf, her generosity, her admonition for upright living, will live on.

She leaves to mourn her not unexpected, yet sudden departure, three daughters, Frieda J. Dyck of the home, Marie M. Dyck of Wichita, Liesbeth E. Dyck of the home, a son Herman J. Dyck of the home, one son-in-law, Henry H. Toews of Newton, two sisters. Elise Wiebe of Newton and Mrs. Minnie Harder of Whitewater, four brothers, Gerhard Wiebe, John D. Wiebe and Herman A. Wiebe, all of Whitewater, and Rev. Alfred Wiebe of Canton, Oklahoma, and many relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, one son, Paul, who died in infancy, her oldest daughter, Helen who died on January 2, 1947, her parents, one brother and four sisters.

Funeral services for Mrs. Dyck were held Tuesday afternoon, July 18. Her brother. Rev. Alfred Wiebe of Canton, Oklahoma, was in charge of the early service held at 2:15 at the Smith Mortuary. Rev. Walter H. Dyck conducted the 3 o’clock service at the Emmaus Mennonite church.

Pall bearers were Edward Regier, Arthur H. Penner, John Epp, John Brucks, Carl Claassen and Arbie Langley. A quartet made up of the Thiessen brothers sang. Burial was made in the Emmaus Cemetery.