Obituary of Dirkje (Dirk) Swope

SWOPE - DIRKJE (DIRK) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 27, 2006, at the age of 101 years. Dirk was born on November 6, 1904 in 's Gavenzande, Holland. Along with her parents, sister and brother she sailed to Canada in 1913, first settling in North Battleford and later homesteading in Belbutte. She married Leo Swope on February 16, 1927. They began married life in the Witchekan district where their pride and joy, daughters Evelyn and Irene were born. In 1929 they moved to the Leoville area to homestead, where they farmed until 1970 when Leo suffered a stroke. In 1977 they celebrated their 50th Anniversary. Leo passed away in 1978. The farm then passed on to Evelyn and Charlie. Dirk lived in Seniors Housing in Leoville until1991 when a broken hip meant she could no longer live alone. Evergreen Health Centre became her home for the next 15 years until her passing. In July 2004 Dirk celebrated an early 100th Birthday with over 100 family and friends in attendance. Her grandchildren presented a delightful slide show entitled "The First 100 Years" portraying her life. To everyone's amusement Dirk commented "I'm not really 100 years old yet!" She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Evelyn Goertzen of Spiritwood, a son-in-law, Ron (Toni) Wilson of Prince Albert and a brother, Alex Stolze of Kelowna, BC, her grandchildren, Debbie (Stuart) Stephen of Lethbridge, Alberta; Bob (Bev) Goertzen of La Ronge, Sask; Ken Wilson, Toronto, Ontario; Gail (Kevin) Spencer of Carnduff, Sask; Dave (Teresa) Wilson of Regina, Sask and Donna Wilson (Dan McKay) of Regina, Sask; her nieces, Connie (Frank) Lemieux of Kelowna, BC, Elaine McGregor of Calgary, Alberta and Carol McFayden of Kelowna, BC; 10 great grandchildren, 8 great nieces and nephews and 4 great great nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Alex and Pietje Stolze, her husband Leo, a brother in law, Don, her daughter Irene, her sister Jo and a son-in-law Charlie. The funeral service was held Friday, June 30, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Leoville with Reverend David Jensen officiating. The eulogy was given by Autumn Fee. The organist was Ruth French. Ed Samson lead the congregation in the hymns "Abide with me", "In the garden", and "Softly and tenderly". Sue Poulin and Ed Thiel sang "Beyond the Sunset". Honorary pallbearers were Alan Short, Ivor Everette, Roland Soucy, Albert Soucy, Mark McDaid and Dmetro Chyzowski, as well as all relatives and friends that shared in Dirk's life. Active pallbearers were David Wilson, Matt Wilson, Bob Goertzen, Tyler Goertzen, Ricky Goertzen and Stuart Stephen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Evergreen Health Centre. Dirk was laid to rest at Memorial Gardens in Prince Albert, Sask. Beau "Lac" Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.