Obituary of Myrtle Diederich
September 6, 1932 - May 4, 2017
On May 4, 2017 Myrtle passed away peacefully at the age of 84 years with her husband Henry, family, and friends by her side, all of whom gently reminisced, sang and played guitar, prayed, and blessed Myrtle on her new journey.
Myrtle & Henry have resided at Dieppe Manor for the past 4 years making many new friends with whom they enjoyed all the staff, many activities, card playing, pot luck suppers, and especially their morning coffee times solving the world's problems. Previous to living at Dieppe they had made a beautiful home in the Dimsdale area for 45 years, with a deck that had a view of the mountains and sunsets that Myrtle adored. When they were married June 29, 1950 they made their very first home in Bezanson on the Diederich homestead, with Grampa Micheal and Uncle Joe along with lots of other relatives and cousins close by. Many fond memories were made here where all 5 of their children were born to them, they resided in Bezanson from 1950 – 1968. Myrtle was born in Buffalo Lakes, but grew up mainly in the Westmark area with her 11 brothers and sisters. There were lots of shared memories over the years of childhood shenanigans, swimming, hunting, skipping school, and playing along the banks of the Burnt River, where Myrtle's love of the outdoors and nature first began.
Myrtle loved the first spring flowers, frogs croaking, fresh rains and draining the puddles, her garden, picking berries, and especially her birds that were rewarded with suet and seeds at her bird feeders. She loved sharing with and teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren about animals, birds, and nature. Her yard was a peaceful sanctuary and brought her a lot of pleasure. She enjoyed many quad trips and camping trips with Henry, lots of close friends, and family to Grande Cache, the Kakwa, Red Deer Falls, the Burnt Hills and many more places. Myrtles cone-picking business was not only profitable, but gave her even more opportunity to spend time with her family camping and being outdoors. Myrtle treasured her family on all sides and was always an avid organizer in any family reunion or gathering. She loved not only her own family history but also the history of the area and worked to preserve both; she was the secretary of the "Along the Wapiti" history book and had and read many of the other area history books as well. She was very interested in helping to resurrect the Dimsdale Cemetery, where, to her delight, she will be laid to rest under the branches of a beautiful spruce tree in a plot she chose herself.
Myrtle is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Henry as well as their children: Danny & Maureen (Shane & Christina; {Bradley & Courtney, Jessica & Dylan, Allie, Rachelle}, Shawna) . Donna & Don McNally (Bret & Jody McNally {Chloe, Sloan, Layne}, Darby McNally & Melaika). Trudy & Garry Mayne, (Brad & Stina Sklarchuk {Paige, Parker}), Dallas & Katie Mayne, Stacey & Kier Robertson {Lennix}. Barry & Jarron, (Riley, Tenille, Carter , Spencer), Clint & Velda (TJ & Courtney McKenzie {Dexon, Cohen, Nash}, Brooke & Matt Prince. Also precious to her heart - Sisters: Dorleen Uhryn (Leonard), Mable Jantz; Brother: Floyd Sloat (Margaret); Sister-in-law Rose-Marie as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Myrtle was pre-deceased by her parents Henry & Irene Sloat, sisters: Margaret Taylor, Hazel Villneff (Orville), Ivey Thomsen (Henry), Mildred Jobson (Julian); sister-in-law Annie Bulford (Harvey); brothers: Jay Sloat, Alfred Sloat (Erika), Henry Sloat (Edith), Lloyd Sloat; and brother-in-law Sam Jantz.
A celebration of Myrtle’s life will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2 PM at Bezanson Hall.
Memorial donations in memory of Myrtle Diederich can be made to the Bezanson Hall Capital Campaign (cheques made payable to County of Grande Prairie) or to a charity of one's choice.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home www.bearcreekfuneral.com 780-830-7742
