Martha Dyck (Willms)

Mrs. Martha Dyck (Willms, nee Klassen) of Coaldale, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, passed away at the Coaldale Health Care Centre on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at the age of 97 years.

She is survived by her son Ed (Ruth) Willms, grandson Mike (Michelle) Willms, great grandchildren Sam, Jack, Ben & Abbey Willms, Darian Sailer, Cassidy Sailer, her daughter Ruth (Edgar) Dueck, grandchildren Ryan (Naomi) Dueck, Gil (Shelley) Dueck, Gina (Jayson) Giesbrecht, great grandchildren Nicholas and Claire Dueck, Julie, Lana and Kendal Dueck, Graham, Aaron and Simon Giesbrecht, her stepdaughter in law Ruth Dyck, step-grandchildren, Katherine (Jonathan) McClelland and family, Marvin (Heather) Dyck and family, and Kevin Dyck, stepdaughter Gwen LeBoeuf and her 2 children Brandon and Justin LeBoeuf.

She is also survived by her brother Henry Klassen, her sisters Beth Siemens and Helen (Jake) Siemens.

She is predeceased by her husband Aron Willms, second husband John Dyck, granddaughter Denise Willms and her husband Blair Sailer, sisters Hilda Rowe and Herta Doerksen, stepdaughter Lorene Dyck and stepson Robert Dyck.

Martha was born on February 5, 1921 in Rosental, Ukraine to Heinrich and Katharina (Neufeld) Klassen. At the age of five, her family emigrated to Canada, arriving in Kleefeld, Manitoba where they stayed temporarily with her maternal grandparents. After moving several times, they settled in Munson, Alberta. They enjoyed a tight-knit community of a few Mennonite families, with her Dad being a minister there. She attended Gem Bible School in the winter of 1936-1937. After that she worked for a family in Drumheller until Aron Willms of Countess came into her life. They were married in 1944 and farmed in Countess for 6 years. In 1950, they moved to Gem where they raised their family and were actively involved in the church. In January of 1981 Aron suffered a massive heart attack and was forced to retire from farming. Later that same year they moved to Coaldale. After 5 months Aron went to be with the Lord. She was thankful to friends and family who supported her through her loneliness. She relied heavily on the Lord to sustain her. She saw His goodness to her through the years and chose to lean on His promise never to leave or forsake her.

She was married to John Dyck for several years until his passing. She enjoyed getting to know his family, with whom she has continued a warm relationship over the years.Through her difficulties she looked outward in service to others. She found it therapeutic to visit the Lodge and visit with the seniors, often bringing baking with her. Even in her final years, she continually found ways to serve others. She was a light to those around her, and a delight to those who knew her.

She will be dearly missed.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 17, 2018 at the COALDALE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH- 2114-18 Street, Coaldale, Alberta.

At Martha’s request, her ashes will be placed in her late husband Aron Willms’ grave during a private interment.

In memory of Martha, donations can be made to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (http://donate.foodgrainsbank.ca or at the funeral service).

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