Lydia Dyck
Obituary
Our final goodbye to our beautiful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was during the early hours of Sunday, January 4, 2026, aged 89 1/2.
Lydia is lovingly remembered by her children:
Myron (Shari) – Grandsons: Brendyn (Kira), Jordan & great Grandchild, Selah; Step Granddaughters: Madelyn (Ian), Elizabeth (Cody) & Step Great-Grandchild, Lucy;
Melody (Don) – Grandsons: Tyler, Jadyn (Lesley), Great-Grandchildren: Demi, Gigi, Ladd & Dandi;
Marilee (Markus) – Grandchildren: Christie-Joy (Jake) – Great-Grandchild: Mila, Cassidy, & Josiah.
Mom was predeceased by her husband Henry, parents Abram and Elizabeth Hamm, and brother Marv Hamm.
She is also survived by her sister Clara, brother Jack, and many In-laws, Nieces & Nephews.
Mom was a detailed planner and wrote out her story in her mid 70’s for us to refer to once she was gone.
She was born on July 4, 1936, at the Herbert, Saskatchewan farmstead in the middle of the dirty thirties. She was the second child of the Hamm family, and enjoyed adventures with her Siblings and Classmates at Bethania and Herbert schools. They enjoyed drowning gophers and climbing over tall straw stacks during recess.
She accepted Christ at age 6 1/2 and was baptized at age 14.
Her love of music started at a very young age. Her mother had bought a player piano, and mom would often slip into the living room to learn about this new instrument.
At age 4 she played her first song by chording on the piano’s black keys by ear, and by 6 she was able to start piano lessons and progressed through the early grades quickly. By age 14, she was teaching her own piano students, playing for her church and school groups, transposing scores, improvising or playing from memory, if music was not available. She taught herself how to play Grandmas 150 year old violin, accordion, autoharp, guitar, and rhythm instruments.
Mom was brilliant! Following Highschool Graduation she completed Business courses and then attended Bible School in Caronport and Herbert, Sask. She then went on to attend Teacher’s College, and earned her Teacher’s Certificate. She proceeded to teach in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Edmonton and Saskatoon. She completed her Bachelor of Education with a Music Major at the University of Saskatchewan during this time. She continued learning and moved to Edmonton to study Harmony at the University of Alberta.
In 1966, mom married Henry Dyck and grew their family of three children. They moved for continued Education and Careers during their young family years, within Saskatchewan, Missouri and finally settling in Steinbach, Manitoba. Throughout this journey mom encouraged many moments of serving and singing as a family and teaching her children about Jesus and Music.
Although their hearts hoped to serve God abroad, they were led to Manitoba, where mom began teaching piano lessons, and teaching and coordinating through Child Evangelical Fellowship (CEF), the Religious Education classes in Steinbach and area. She continued to teach in St. Anne, and Steinbach in various capacities – but especially MUSIC!
She volunteered in the local Art Festivals, Community Orchestra, Church and Community Ladies’ and Auxiliary Clubs, and for years interpreted, and hosted tour groups at the Steinbach Mennonite Village Museum.
Mom endured several major health setbacks and surgeries throughout her lifetime, including Brain Surgery in 1982, while studying and continuing her Education. During this time, she relied heavily on God’s promises.
** Written in Lydia’s Bible – January 1982 at Winnipeg Health Science Center prior to going in for Brain Surgery:
“What a Day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see;
And to Look upon His face, The one who saved me by His Grace;
When He takes me by the hand, and Leads me to the Promised Land;
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
She was determined and with rehab, drive, and a thirst for Education, she went on to earn her Master of Arts Degree in 1987 through Winnipeg Theological Seminary.
Mom was able to travel with our Family and retired Teachers through many countries, including Greece, Rome, Egypt, Germany, Austria, Ukraine, South and Central America etc.
Dementia slowly moved in, but Mathematics and Music Remained…
Following the loss of her husband, Henry, in 2019, Mom moved into the Morris Red River Valley Lodge and then finally into Winkler’s Salem Home. She thrived there! As dementia was draining life away, the Staff and Residents were drawn in to this woman who was smart, had flair and wit, aced mathematical equations, and had amazing Musical skills to serve those around her. She loved the activities, new relationships, and musical groups. She was quick to kiss Staff if they leaned in, to express her affection and love for those who cared for her.
Our family is forever grateful to you, her Caregivers at Morris Hospital, Red River Valley Lodge, Salem Home, and finally at Boundary Trails Hospital, for the respect and care shown to mom for the past 6 1/2 years. You are truly Angels on earth!
She will be so missed and leaves such a huge hole in our hearts, but she is enjoying her Mansion now and singing Alto in Heaven’s choir!
Mom’s Favorite verses were:
“Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the Eagles”. ~ Psalm 103:5
“Being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ”. ~ Philippians 1:6
The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Manitoba.
