Obituary of Jean Marie Van Dyk

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Jean Van Dyk. Jean, a longtime resident of Hythe, AB, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in Beaverlodge, AB, with her family by her side, at the age of 74 years.

Jean was born in Lethbridge, AB. The first year of her life was spent on the Brecka family farm in Cranford, AB. At the age of one, she and her parents moved to the Readymade AB area and began their own family farm. Jean had many fond memories of growing up on the farm with her parents and sister. She always said she had to be the hired man because her parents only had girls. She would talk about working out in the field and watching the water in the irrigation dugout while cloud-watching with her sister. Being an active member of the Readymade 4H club, high school basketball, and babysitting in the community were just a few of her favorite things to do during her teen years.     

In January of 1970, Jean met Cor Van Dyk at her cousin’s wedding. After movie dates, trips, hanging out watching TV, and a few ‘too fast’ car rides they were in love. On August 25, 1973, they married and spent 50 wonderful years together. In 1980 their daughter Jennifer was born with their son Brenton following in 1984. There were many yearly family trips to Edmonton and Fairmont Hot Springs.   Jean and Cor farmed and raised their family on Jean’s childhood farm until 1990.

In the summer of 1990, they relocated way up north to Grande Prairie, AB. For just over 4 years the family lived right in the city. Jean always put on a happy face about being there but would always say for years after that she never really liked it. In 1994 she and the family moved one last time to what is known as The Farm, in Goodfare, AB. That was it, she was not moving again and had found her paradise. Jean spent 29 years living on her piece of paradise, raising her family, and watching them grow. She loved riding her quad to check the cattle and enjoyed tending to the other farm animals.   Through sheer perseverance, Jean was able to grow a fruitful garden on the rockiest farmyard by collecting anything that she could that sat above ground and would hold soil.  Up until her final weeks, she could still be found working in her garden on her piece of paradise.   

Jean was blessed with 3 grandchildren, Zaiden, Zenaya, and Zaely. She loved being a grandma, it was one of her biggest joys. When they came to spend the weekends, it was a fun time of baking, sewing, crafting, movie watching, quadding, and playing crib.     

Throughout her life, Jean had many joys. Raising German Shepard dogs; having corgis as pets; spending time visiting family and friends; playing crib with her husband; meeting people through her jobs, especially with FCSS, and catching up with a phone call, were just a few.   

Jean is survived by her beloved husband Cor Van Dyk; son Brenton Van Dyk; daughter Jennifer (Zaeus) Coulic: grandchildren Zaiden, Zenaya, and Zaely Coulic; as well as numerous other family and friends.

She was predeceased by her loving parents Frank and Marie Brecka and sister Betty Ann Cronkhite.

Jean will be sadly missed by her family and all who knew her.

A funeral service was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 1:00 pm. Father Michael Dias officiated. Jean was laid to rest in the Gimle Cemetery.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Jean to the Canadian Cancer Society, AB/NWT Division, 200-325 Manning Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5.

Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium