In Memory Of

Susan Esther Dyck

Jun 22, 1949 - Oct 1, 2025

Service

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
1:00 pm
Alliance Community Church
Sylvan Lake, Alberta

Obituary

It is with deep love and sadness that the family of Susan Dyck announce her passing, on October 1, 2025 at the age of 76 years.

Susan was born on June 22, 1949, in Lethbridge, Alberta, to parents Henry and Tena-Jean Lepp. Although Susan and her family primarily lived and attended school in Lethbridge, much of the family’s time was spent at the family farm in Skiff, Alberta. with her 4 siblings.
Susan left Alberta in Grade 11 to attend Rosthern Junior College, a Mennonite high school in Saskatchewan, where she met Gerry.

On May 4, 1968, she married the love of her life, Gerry Dyck, and beginning in Saskatoon, they started to build a life filled with love, faith, and service…. And it was the year they purchased Susan’s first sewing machine!

In 1972, Susan and Gerry transferred to The Pas, Manitoba, where they began raising their family. Their daughter, Jackie, was born in 1977, followed by their son, Kent, in 1982. In The Pas, Susan and Gerry developed a close community with their involvement with the Neighborhood Mennonite Brethren church and time spent outdoors fishing and camping at Rocky Lake.

In 1986, they made an entrepreneurial move to Sylvan Lake, Alberta, buying the A&W. Susan paused her career as Employment Counselor for a year and was able to start back in Red Deer. In total, Susan enjoyed a 35-year career as an Employment Counselor with the Canada Employment Agency & later the Provincial government. Through her work, she guided and encouraged countless people, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with her. Susan was a resume writer extraordinaire... But more than that, she taught us the art of work-life balance and the values of kindness, compassion, and the quiet strength to stand up for what we believe in with humility.

Outside of her career, Susan was passionate about quilting, which she embraced not only as a creative outlet but as a ministry within Alliance Community Church. Every quilt she created was a gift of comfort and a reflection of her devotion to sharing the love of Jesus with others. The quilters have blessed so many individuals and families with handmade quilts: from newborns, refugees to anybody in need of a pick-up. And of course, each of her children and grandchildren have a quilt that was handcrafted by Susan to uniquely reflect their individuality and her & Gerry’s love for them.

Susan’s creativity was also shown through her love of gardening. Susan could grow anything. From her collection of rose bushes to her mother’s heirloom blue poppies. Her family and friends also reaped the benefits… Her gift of love often came in the form of a fresh apple pie, rhubarb Plautz or a jar of raspberry jelly.

Upon retirement, Susan and Gerry bought a 5th wheel trailer and travelled south to Arizona every winter, for 17 years, finding warmth and bringing together friendships from across the country. Good life RV Resort in Mesa found Susan reunited with her twin sister Helen, as next door neighbours. They did everything together – including coordinating outfits, their bond as twins was exceptional.

Susan loved nothing better than being involved with her family and watching her grandkids do the things they love… hockey, baseball, figure skating, volleyball, or
BMX racing … she wouldn’t miss it for anything. She was always a trouper, willing to do anything, even endure a cold rink, just to spend time with her family.

She had an incredible spirit of determination and positivity in everything she did. Family trips were very important to Susan, whether camping in Radium, hiking up Moose Mountain, or any number of the family trips made together... including one very special trip to celebrate their 50th Wedding anniversary in Akumal Bay Mexico. Gerry & Susan have been blessed with 57 years of marriage this past May, showing the true testament and resiliency of their love and care for each other... and a true legacy for their children and grandchildren.

Susan lived with Scleroderma for many years, but she never let it define her. It gave her more challenges in her final years, but she rarely complained. She did not dwell on her problems and knew there was always hope for a better day tomorrow. For 3 years, Susan planned and organized an annual Scleroderma Walk in Sylvan Lake, and worked with the National association, raising awareness and bringing together a community which she treasured for the friendships and support it brought her.

Susan is lovingly remembered by her husband Gerry; her daughter Jackie (Myles), and granddaughters Madelyn and Lauryn; her son Kent (Amanda), and grandsons Colby and Tyler. She is also survived by her older sister Margaret (Jack) Humphrey, twin sister Helen (Ric) Goerzen, younger brother Ed and brother-in-law Bob Peters (Charlotte). As well, on Gerald’s side of the family, she is survived by her sister-in-law Wilma Haynes. She was predeceased by her parents, Gerry’s parents Henry & Mary Dyck, and her younger sister Lydia Peters. Susan will be deeply missed by her family, friends, numerous nieces & nephews and all those whose lives she has touched.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Susan’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the Alliance Community Church in Sylvan Lake, Alberta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Susan’s memory to Scleroderma Canada www.scleroderma.ca/donate or Mennonite Central Committee www.mcc.org.

Though her hands are now at rest, the beauty of her life, her faith, and her love live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

For our light & momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Condolences

Hilda Richardson:

Another friend from The Pas sending condolences to you Gerry and your family...we have great memories of susan and i can still see her big smile in my minds eye...when i think back i can't remember seeing her without one.

Wendy Morris:

I am truly sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. My condolences to Jerry, Kent and Amanda and Jackie and Myles and grandchildren.

Darlene Beals:

When I was told about the quilting group at the Alliance Church. I started going. Susan took me under her wing
she helped with things I didn't Know how to do. We did go for coffee a few times other then sewing and the Red Hatters. She was always there when you needed her. She will be missed immensely

Florian and Linda Cook:

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Susan. We are glad we got to know her in Arizona. She was a very talented, friendly and kind lady.

Yvonne Ross-Weenusk (Johnson):

I'm so sorry of my friend Susan passing. I'm so glad that I was able to visit recently. It was a great visit because we didn't see each other for 36 years. I missed our friendship when Susan and Gerry moved away from The Pas. Susan was my best friend. I was overwhelmed with so much love and kindness.The strength it must of took to take me around Sylvan Lake and walking around the shore. It was amazing to be with my friend again after all these years. My prayers go out to Gerry and family. God comfort you a time of year loss. Susan was a wonderful kind person and will be missed dearly.

John Malcolmson:

I am deeply saddened hearing the news regarding Susan. I met Susan in 2018 at the Scleroderma National conference in Calgary. She was a joy to spend time with. I enjoyed our conversation and her passion/commitment to helping all those living with scleroderma. Susan was outstanding at raising awareness, advocating & fundraising. I will miss my friend.

John Malcolmson

Mike Humphrey:

Sending lots of love from Lethbridge and the Humphrey Family. Traveling to Sylvan Lake as a kid was always a treat! Aunt Susan and Uncle Gerry opened their arms and home to us which I will never forget. Aunt Susan will be greatly missed!

Kaarn Spencer:

Gerry, Helen, Ric:
John and I are thinking of you in your time of loss. We missed seeing Susan last year, I know she was pretty sick.
Her obituary was beautiful. What a moving tribute.
Sending all of our love. Kaarn and John Spencer

Don and Beverly Bell:

Dear Gerry, Jackie, Myles; Kent, Amanda and family
Our sincere condolences to each of you!
Our Christian history together is lengthy. From church, quilting, helping find our place in Az, dinners, details of Susan health journey, sharing listening we spent many hours stitching helping others together.
We are grateful for Susan’s life her shared talents, and her faith.
She is a huge loss to our quilting sisters!
God bless her and all of you Dyck family. We will meet again….. much love!

Wohlers Kathy:

On behalf of myself and family I extend our deepest condolences in the loss you have experienced. You are all in our prayers through this very difficult time,

Beverley Witham:

I first met Susan 16 years ago when she invited me to the Alliance Church quilting group, where she became one of my mentors. She always set an example of kindness, generosity, courage and humour. I still have a scarf she gave me: she took it off herself, tore it in half and shared it with me. That’s the kind of person she was. Through her many medical issues, she was the epitome of resilience and bravery. She was a leader we all turned to. She will be sadly missed.

Susan Wieler:

Our sincere condolences to you Gerry and family. We had a great time getting to know Susan and you at “Good Life”. She was a great lady!
“May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. Romans15:13
Sincerely Susan and Menno Wieler
Winkler Manitoba

Barb and Harv Lane:

Hi Gerry…..our hearts are very sad for your loss. We so enjoyed getting to know you and Susan in AZ. We treasure those memories.

Susan and Gordon Kissner:

Our lives are richer for having only known Susan for the past 4 years!! Always a smile and a hug when seeing her. She organized a quilt for our grandson, who we lost Dec. 21, 2023, and put both his sister and him in a picture on it. She helped me pick out the material. With scraps left over she did a pillow cover and our dear Isaiah went home to Jesus on that very pillow! What a heart of love and care even in her physical pain. A beautiful soul is resting in Jesus' arms now! Our hearts go out to Gerry and the family as they mourn their earthly loss and heaven's gain! Love and prayers

Nancy and Don Neilsen:

Dear Gerry

We were so very sorry to hear of your beloved Susan’s passing. We will always remember her warm welcome to both of us when we began attending Alliance Community Church. I (Nancy) always enjoyed our chats - Susan was such a warm and caring person - a great listener too! When I was diagnosed with cancer Susan helped Beverly Bell make a quilt for me which I cherish deeply! Over the last few years it was hard to witness Susan’s health challenges yet she always spoke of how good God is, even in trying circumstances! We are so thankful that she loved Jesus and now her faith has become sight as she is in the presence of our Saviour. May you and the family cherish the wonderful memories you have of her. We are praying for you all that God will surround you with His love, comfort and peace.

Don and Rosalea:

We are so saddened for your loss, Gerry. Susan will be deeply, deeply missed. She was a very special person, deep in her faith and connections she made with people. Her devotion to her family came first and foremost, only second to her devotion to her Lord. We enjoyed many times spent together with you two at Good Life.

May God comfort you and hold you. Our love and prayers are with you.
love Don & Rosalea

Jodi:

Love you and miss you aunt Susan ❤️ Thank you for bringing your light and love and beautiful, shining outfits to us for so many years ❤️ May you rest peacefully with God.

Gerri Scott :

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My deepest sympathies to the family. Susan will be truly missed.

WILF and Lois Driedger:

Gerry we can’t begin to tell you how sorry we were when Helen called us to say Susan had passed away! We are so glad we had such a great visit with you both in June. So many good times together, from dorm life at RJC, to double dating, to both of us participating in your wedding , to visits in Sylvan, Mesa, and Indio California ! We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this stage of your life and may God have his healing hands on you as you go through your own health issues in the next little while. Love and prayers .WILF and Lois

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