Dyck, Gerhard (1878-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Oct 27 p. 5

Birth date: 1878 May 20

text of obituary:

. . .

• Gerhard Dyck, 88, retired farmer of the Whitewater community, died at Axtell Christian Hospital here Oct. 19. The funeral was conducted at the Emmaus Mennonite Church last Saturday afternoon by Rev. L. R. Amstutz, the pastor. Mr. Dyck was born in 1878 on the family homestead near Whitewater, and resided on this farm his entire life. He is survived by a sister, Miss Katie Dyck of the home, and a brother, Paul B. Dyck of Blacksburg, Va.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Dec 22 p. 14

text of obituary:

GERHARD DYCK

Gerhard Dyck was born to John and Helena Dyck in the Emmaus community near Whitewater, Kan. on May 20, 1878. He was the second child to be born in the then rather isolated community.

His formal education began in the elementary public school and was complemented by religious instruction received in the home and the church-sponsored Bible school. He spent part of a year at the new Bethel Academy.

At the age of 17 he was baptized in the Emmaus Church by Leonard Suderman on confession of faith and remained a member of this body until his death.

When he was 19 his father died and it fell to Gerhard's lot to take over the management of the farm with the assistance of his brother John. That they managed well is attested by the fact that during the early 1900s the farm was considered one of the better ones in the community. His love of horses led to the breeding and development of fine draft animals for the entire area.

He became interested in the use of electric power for rural people and was one of the first members of the REA Board of Butler County where he served for many years.

In June of 1941 he accidentally fractured his pelvis which seriously handicapped his activities for the remainder of his life, but he continued farming. Some four years ago he became afflicted with arteriosclerosis. He died on Oct. 19, 1966 in the Axtell Hospital at Newton.

He is survived by one sister, Miss Katie Dyck, Whitewater; and one brother, Paul, Whitewater, Va. He also leaves eight nephews and three nieces, and many friends and relatives.

The Mennonite obituary: 1966 Dec 6 p. 745