Dyck, Helen Friesen (1927-2007)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2007 Sep p. 29

Birth date: 1927 Mar 4

text of obituary:

HELEN DYCK

H elen Dyck died June 28 after an extended battle with leukemia and osteoporosis. She was born Mar. 4, 1927 in La Salle, Man. to Johann and Helena Friesen. At 16, Helen gave her heart to Jesus Christ and was baptized two years later. As one of four girls in a family of 11 children, Helen quickly learned to cook, clean, and sew, but also milked cows, bailed hay, and worked as hard as the boys. When she was in her 20s, Helen travelled to Abbotsford, B.C. to pick berries. There she met Henry Dyck whom she married June 27, 1954. Helen enjoyed sewing for others. As word of her creative talents spread, she soon had full-time work that became a 30-year career. She was well-known for her wedding gown creations, some of which she sewed working from photographs alone. After Henry died in 1989, Helen joined Jubilee Singers at Central Heights Church, her home congregation. She is mourned by son Leonard (Helen); daughter Doris (Peter) Fleck; 2 grandsons; 7 brothers; 2 sisters. The celebration of life was July 5 at Central Heights Church, Abbotsford.