Reddekopp – Elvira (Dyck) Reddekopp passed away at Brooks Health Centre early on June 28, 2017, after an eight-month struggle with cancer at the age of 67. She was born on June 17, 1950 in Bassano to David P. and Maria (Loewen) Dyck. She grew up on the family farm near Rosemary, AB., the youngest of 5 children. For grades 1 to 12, she attended school in Rosemary. She grew up being comfortable entertaining herself, checking the irrigation ditches for snails, riding horseback or motorbike with her close friends, reading or doing various crafty things. Elvira surrendered her life to Jesus Christ at a young age, for what she called, “the wrong reason”, fear of hell. The Lord being as gracious as He is, accepted and welcomed her into His family nonetheless. She was baptized as a believer in the Rosemary Mennonite Church at the age of 16. Faith in Christ became the center of life, and even at her passing, she was still growing deeper in love, peace, joy and wisdom as a result of her relationship with Jesus Christ. Following high school graduation in 1968, she attended Swift Current Bible Institute in Saskatchewan. In 1970 Elvira graduated from that school with a certificate in Christian Ministries. She also had the good fortune of meeting (and falling for) a fellow student, Jack Reddekopp of Warman, Saskatchewan while there. They married on June 24, 1972. Their “Happily Ever After” lasted a mere 45 years and 3 days. In the ensuing years, three children were born to them. Geoffrey David in 1974 in St. Catharines, ON. Sheryl Annette in the “old” hospital in Brooks, in 1977, and Janice Nicole in the “new” hospital in Brooks in 1979. After several moves to follow career leadings and her husband’s education, Elvira and her family settled back in Rosemary, in the very home where she grew up. She was very pleased that her children could grow up on the farm. After 22 years of farming, Elvira and Jack decided that phase of their lives was complete. So they sold the farm and moved into Brooks to pursue various ministry and career opportunities. Elvira was involved in volunteering in the Brooks Food Bank, the Brooks Pregnancy Care Centre, and the Victory Church of Brooks. She liked to bring order out of chaos, so she also worked part time as a bookkeeper at Newell Christian School and the Victory Church. Elvira loved kicking over rocks in the Arizona desert to discover a unique Desert Rose, or checking an ocean beach for shells and interesting stones. Prairie skies always fascinated her with their constantly changing views and hues. Her finds were brought home and fashioned into various crafty decorations. Her children and grandchildren were each blessed with a unique handmade quilt to keep them warm and to give them a constant reminder of her love for them. In Fall of 2009 Elvira and Jack took their truck and RV across eastern Canada for what was “their trip of a lifetime”. The weather and the scenery were amazing, and people everywhere were hospitable and friendly. She was predeceased by her eldest brother Paul in 1953, her mother in 1967, her father in 1978, and her elder sister MaryAnne in 2000, and her brother-in-law Karl Wiebe in 2007. Elvira’s dad remarried in 1971, just a year before her own wedding, and her stepmother Luise passed away in 2011. Elvira is survived by her husband Jack, a son Geoff (Carolyn Kaminski) their children Ethan, Kaylie, Josiah and Amy. Two daughters, Sheryl (Jeff) VanWert and their children Grace, Murray, Faith and Thomas; Janice (Brian) Westnedge and their daughters Jessica, Cassie and Tanisha. Two of her brothers survive her, Heinz (Helen) and Ed (Elsie). Also surviving her are her husband’s 9 siblings and their spouses, along with many nieces and nephews. Visitation and a time to fellowship and share memories was held at 7:30 pm on Monday, July 3 at Thom’s Funeral Home and Reception Centre. Graveside services were held at 10:30 am on July 4 at Rosemary Cemetery, funeral services followed at 2:00 pm at the Victory Church of Brooks with Pastor Jordan Fuller officiating. To share a memory, a photo or to light a candle in memory of Elvira, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
