Jacob Dyck
September 23, 1954 - March 30, 2026
Jacob Dyck, age 71, of Seba Beach, Alberta, passed away peacefully in Drayton Valley, Alberta.
Jacob was born in Altona, Manitoba, to Peter and Maria Dyck and was raised in southern Manitoba. He attended school in Dufrost and Grunthal. From a young age, Jacob developed a strong work ethic, spending evenings and weekends helping neighbors and local farmers.
As a young man, Jacob’s adventurous spirit led him across Canada. Over the years he worked as a pipe yard manager, logger, heavy equipment operator, and truck driver, forming many lasting friendships throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland.
Whenever he missed home, Jacob would call his parents a week or two in advance, pack his hiking bag, and hitchhike his way back to Manitoba—often sleeping in ditches along the way. His journeys were marked by faith in humanity, resilience, determination, and a sense of freedom that defined much of his life.
In 1980, Jacob decided to hitchhike across Canada. After hopping a train from Edmonton to Vancouver and taking a ferry to Victoria to visit a friend, he returned to Vancouver and began his cross-country journey east. Just outside Winnipeg, he caught what he later called his “best ride” when a woman in her seventies asked if he could drive her to Thunder Bay. Along the way, near White River, Ontario, Jacob met a young man running in the opposite direction. The two shared sandwiches in a roadside ditch and talked about their journeys. That young man was Terry Fox. This encounter left a lasting impression on Jacob, who became a passionate Terry Fox Run participant, fundraiser, and supporter for decades, raising funds as recently as 2018.
Jacob is survived by an older sister and brother and their families and many friends across Canada. He will be missed and remembered for his generosity with time and money, unmatched work ethic, physical ability and endurance. He loved animals, live music, antiques, and, above all, meeting new people.
Following a family visit in 2022, it became apparent that Jacob was experiencing early signs of dementia. He was later diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. As his condition progressed, Jacob felt a deep desire to be baptized. On the day before his 70th birthday, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith during a special evening service at Winkler Mennonite Church.
His favorite scripture passage was Psalm 51:10–12:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your free Spirit.
A funeral service will be held on April 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Wiebe Funeral Home in Winkler, Manitoba, with interment to follow at Weidenfeld Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Terry Fox Foundation.
September 23, 1954 - March 30, 2026
Jacob Dyck, age 71, of Seba Beach, Alberta, passed away peacefully in Drayton Valley, Alberta.
Jacob was born in Altona, Manitoba, to Peter and Maria Dyck and was raised in southern Manitoba. He attended school in Dufrost and Grunthal. From a young age, Jacob developed a strong work ethic, spending evenings and weekends helping neighbors and local farmers.
As a young man, Jacob’s adventurous spirit led him across Canada. Over the years he worked as a pipe yard manager, logger, heavy equipment operator, and truck driver, forming many lasting friendships throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland.
Whenever he missed home, Jacob would call his parents a week or two in advance, pack his hiking bag, and hitchhike his way back to Manitoba—often sleeping in ditches along the way. His journeys were marked by faith in humanity, resilience, determination, and a sense of freedom that defined much of his life.
In 1980, Jacob decided to hitchhike across Canada. After hopping a train from Edmonton to Vancouver and taking a ferry to Victoria to visit a friend, he returned to Vancouver and began his cross-country journey east. Just outside Winnipeg, he caught what he later called his “best ride” when a woman in her seventies asked if he could drive her to Thunder Bay. Along the way, near White River, Ontario, Jacob met a young man running in the opposite direction. The two shared sandwiches in a roadside ditch and talked about their journeys. That young man was Terry Fox. This encounter left a lasting impression on Jacob, who became a passionate Terry Fox Run participant, fundraiser, and supporter for decades, raising funds as recently as 2018.
Jacob is survived by an older sister and brother and their families and many friends across Canada. He will be missed and remembered for his generosity with time and money, unmatched work ethic, physical ability and endurance. He loved animals, live music, antiques, and, above all, meeting new people.
Following a family visit in 2022, it became apparent that Jacob was experiencing early signs of dementia. He was later diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. As his condition progressed, Jacob felt a deep desire to be baptized. On the day before his 70th birthday, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith during a special evening service at Winkler Mennonite Church.
His favorite scripture passage was Psalm 51:10–12:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your free Spirit.
A funeral service will be held on April 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Wiebe Funeral Home in Winkler, Manitoba, with interment to follow at Weidenfeld Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Terry Fox Foundation.