Lydia Helena Funk passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family in the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK. Heaven is a more beautiful place after she left this earth on Friday, August 1st, 2014, at the age of 79. Lydia was born on June 29, 1935, in Main Centre, SK, to John & Anne Funk, the second oldest of 11 children. She attended the Lobethal and Roland country schools in Main Centre and Gouldtown. Lydia met the love of her life, Henry Funk, in 1950, and they were married on January 6, 1953, in the Herbert Mennonite Conference Church. They were blessed with two children, Roger and Cindy. They made their home in Herbert until 1997, when they moved to a condo in Swift Current, where she lived until her passing. Lydia was baptized together with Henry in 1961, in the Herbert Mennonite Conference Church. Throughout the years she was actively involved in the Ladies Aid and Prayer Sister group. She sang in the choir, as well as in smaller groups and also in the Swift Current Oratorio Choir for a number of years. Lydia worked for her in-laws at the Herbert Dry Cleaners when she was first married. She also sold Avon for 35 years... a great excuse to have her friends in for coffee, which she loved. Lydia & Henry enjoyed camping and travelling throughout the years and visited places like Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona and California. Lydia started sewing at a very early age. She sewed countless dresses and outfits for her younger sisters, as well as a few of their wedding dresses! Later on she sewed for her children, and became a seamstress for many others in the community. She never used a pattern! She also loved to crochet, and all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a beautiful keepsake afghan or two to remember her by. Lydia was a collector of angel babies, dolls and barbies. She loved jewelry and had countless cupboards, drawers and jewelry boxes overflowing with necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. She loved giving and receiving cards. She kept every single card she had ever received. She also kept a diary most of her life and never missed a day of writing in them. She loved to talk on the phone and would never say goodbye without an "I love you". Lydia's life centered around her family and she prayed for them daily. She never missed a birthday or anniversary, always being sure to send a special card, usually loaded with stickers. In the last few years, she reluctantly agreed to get a computer but actually became quite good at googling anything and everything! She loved to receive emails and pictures from everyone. In the last few years, her health was failing and she wasn't able to do all the things she loved doing. We often knew she was in a lot of pain, but she seldom complained. Lydia suffered a massive stroke and heart attack just two days before her passing. Even though we grieve the loss of a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, we take comfort in the fact that she is free from all the pain and suffering that she endured all these years. Lydia leaves to cherish her memory; her loving husband of 61 years, Henry; her children, Dr. Roger (Carol) Funk and Cindy (Ron) Mathies; her grandchildren, Chelsey Funk (Jack Melamed), Dr. Shannon (Jason) Kell, Curtis Funk, Christopher (Rhea) Mathies, Nikki (Clint) Hartog and Brittany (Jaden) Schultz; her great-grandchildren, Maddix, Kazden and Atley Mathies, Jaxon and Ebony Hartog and Brooklyn Kell. Lydia is also survived by her siblings; Leonard (Rita) Funk, Marina (Richard) Haverkamp, Edna (Bill) Guenther, Adelina (Ron) Bergstrom, Doreen (Jae) Bartsch, (Elsie) Funk, Harry Funk, Carol (Gary) Giles, Lester (Jean) Funk and Leander (Lynette) Funk; as well as many nieces and nephews; and Henry's family; Paul (Judi) Funk, Henrietta Billett, (Glen Ferguson), Martha (Bob) Cummings, and Helen Funk; and many nieces and nephews. Lydia is now singing in the heavenly choir together with her immediate family members who are rejoicing with her arrival in heaven, her parents, John & Anne Funk; and her brother, Arnold Funk. Many others have also gone on before her, too numerous to mention, who will also be welcoming her in heaven.
The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at 2:00 pm from the Living Faith Fellowship Church, Herbert, SK with Clint Hartog officiating. The pianist for the service was Donovan Epp. “Precious Memories” was sung by the congregation. Tributes were shared by Lydia’s children and grandchildren as well as by a photo slideshow. Special music was brought by Donovan Epp singing, “Till The Storm Passes By”. The ushers in the church were Ron Schultz and Harry Friesen. The Private Family Interment Service was held at the Herbert Cemetery with the Lydia’s Grandchildren serving as pallbearers. In memory of Lydia Funk, donations made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family‘s obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com