Honoring Diana Dyck: Funeral and Care Support for Vern

Update: August 26, 2025

Hello everyone,

We are deeply sorry for not providing an update sooner. Please know that Vern and Diana are incredibly grateful, as the money donated allowed them to come up to Saskatoon for Vern’s radiation treatments, covered bills due to missed work, and covered the expense of updating the family will. Vern continues to do well. He receives immunotherapy treatments every three weeks, and his last scan showed that the cancer had shrunk tremendously.

We are, however, deeply saddened to share that Diana was facing her own battle with ovarian cancer. After bravely battling cancer over the last several months, Diana was welcomed into Jesus’ loving arms on August 16, 2025.

While our family is reeling from the shock of things progressing so quickly, we are eternally grateful to have had time to spend with Diana, but are also ensuring that Vern is taken care of. Vern recently moved into the Meadows in Swift Current where he is receiving long term care. As his own needs are medically complex, and he is still receiving immunotherapy for his own cancer, this is the best place for him to be.

It is humbling to have to reopen this GoFundMe. When we started it, we never would have dreamed that both Vern and Diana would be walking on cancer journeys together. However, now that things have changed, there are immediate needs that we will need to address. First, and foremost, our family really needs covering in prayer. We are at peace knowing that God will continue to take care of us, and to provide our needs, we just need to ask.

1. Please pray for the family as we process. This is a lot.

2. Please pray for Vern. Him and Diana were married for over 40 years.

3. Please pray for wisdom for the kids as we approach the stewardship of Vern and Diana’s finances that we would make decisions that always keep their best interests at heart and to ensure that Vern is taken care of.

4. Please pray for the sale of their home. There will be a lot for us to go through, and the sale of their home would set Vern up to be taken care of.

If you are able to, we respectfully ask that you would consider donating to help cover expenses as we transition to this new stage for Vern. There have been many unexpected costs that have come up that we will need to get sorted out. Funds raised from the GoFundMe would cover funeral expenses, the listing of the house, grief counselling, legal expenses and any additional costs that come up from ensuring Vern is provided for. If you would rather send an e-transfer, please message us directly.

Thank you for joining us in this journey,

The Dyck Family

This is news that is hard to share but our family needs your help. I apologize in advance as I know this will be a surprise to people who know my parents, but there is never a convenient time to hear this type of news. My dad, Vern Dyck, has been diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a form of cancer. Unfortunately, it is an advanced cancer, and the tumour is located on his neck making it life threatening. My name is Shaun Dyck, and I am the son of Vern Dyck. I am organizing this GoFundMe in hopes of providing some support for Vern and Diane in this difficult time.

Despite all the health struggles Vern has experienced, he is still a fighter. He has chosen to undergo some aggressive radiation treatments to hopefully shrink and get rid of the tumor. This will be followed by immunotherapy treatment. For those who do not know Vern’s history, he had a stroke when he thirty years old. Thankfully, Vern recovered; however, age and circumstances are now taking a toll. The last few years he has faced severe restrictions in his mobility and now heavily relies on a wheelchair and on people to lift him.

To further complicate the situation, Diane has also been struggling with some health issues that are preventing her from caring for Vern as she has faithfully done for so many years. They have been needing home care to help Vern at home the last few weeks and will continue to need it as he undergoes his treatments.

Here’s where Vern and Diane need your help. First and foremost, we are all asking for people to pray. Prayer for the doctors and medical professionals as they work with Vern to combat the disease. Prayer for the health of both Vern and Diane. And prayer for us siblings as we support our parents.

Secondly, we are asking people to please consider financially helping Vern and Diane. They are not in a financial situation to cover all the costs associated with the treatments Vern will have to go through. They will need some money to help cover the cost of travel, accommodation, medications, home care, meals, as well as lost income as Diane will be unable to work. Additionally, Vern has just turned 65, which prevents him from accessing some supports. Diane does not feel comfortable driving in Saskatoon, and they are currently reliant on drivers and others to lift Vern in and out of the vehicle. This is not sustainable, especially as Vern cannot receive the majority of his treatments in Swift Current. Vern does not have an accessible vehicle, and they do not have the financial means to purchase one. Ideally, it would be beneficial if Vern and Diane could stay in Saskatoon for the duration of the treatments. This would give them quick access to the hospital, his oncology team, and accessible transit. They are hoping to use some of money raised through this GoFundMe to help pay for these accommodations and other associated costs.

All the funds raised through this GoFundMe will go directly to Vern and Diane. Any additional funds raised not needed to cover the items listed above will go towards the purchase of an accessible van for Vern.

We know times are tough now and money is hard to find, but every little bit can help. If you are willing to help in any way, please know that this would be greatly appreciated. Over the years, Vern and Diane have given graciously to those around them without ever expecting anything in return. We are now asking for people to please help them in their own time of need. If you wish to use e-transfer to send financial support instead, please contact me.

Thank you,