Vera Funk

Vera (Lena Allvera (Dyck)) Funk April 11, 1945 to January 21, 2026

“Vera was genuinely curious and accepting of all she met.” Greg, Vera’s son-in-law

Lena (Vera) was born to John J. and Margareta (Sawatzky) Dyck in Chilliwack, B.C. on April 11, 1945. Till age 12 Vera lived on a raspberry farm in Yarrow B.C.  In 1957 the family moved to Kelowna, B.C. to join her older brother John who had settled there with his family. Vera began piano lessons at age 6 and completed her ARCT in 1963.  She accompanied worship services and choirs, periodically taught piano lessons and for three years led a children’s choir.

Vera completed her education in Kelowna with the exception of attending grade 10 at Rosthern Junior College in Saskatchewan. She graduated from Kelowna Senior Secondary in 1963. For two semesters Vera studied at Bethel Bible Institute in Abbotsford where she first met Johann.

Vera confirmed her belief in the Christian faith through baptism in 1964. She committed herself to faithful Christian observance and service.  She was a member at First Mennonite Church, Kelowna

Vera and Johann married on September 13, 1964 at First Mennonite Church, with Aeltester Jacob Janzen officiating. They spent their first year in Vancouver where Vera worked in the office of National New Built and Johann completed a course in Graphic Arts at Vancouver Vocational Institute. In 1965 they settled in Kelowna where Ian (1967) and Candace (1968) were born. In 1972 they accepted a three-year volunteer assignment with Native Enterprises in Winnipeg sponsored by the Poverty Fund of the General Mennonite Church (now Mennonite Church USA). This proved to be a transformative introduction to Indigenous people and the effects of Canada’s colonial history on Indigenous communities. In 1975, they moved back to Kelowna to be with family before returning to Winnipeg in 1982, this time as co-executive secretaries of the Native Ministry program of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada (now Mennonite Church Canada) with Vera as the administrator. She also managed Walnut House, a residence for indigenous women and children who needed accommodation while visiting Winnipeg for medical treatment.

 Vera held additional administrative positions including B.C. Tel (now Telus) and Revenue Canada. In her later years she lovingly cared for a total of eleven foster children in our home. She introduced the benefits of attachment to North Okanagan Family Services as essential for the healthy development of children. Each child brought her joy and satisfaction as they blossomed in her care.

Retirement brought a number of health challenges. Initially, she developed POTS, a syndrome that made standing difficult. In addition, she acquired sound sensitivities that eliminated much of the music that usually filled our home. In 2024 Vera underwent surgery to

remove a cancerous lobe of her right lung. Unfortunately, a CT scan in April of 2025, revealed that the cancer had returned in her liver and was no longer treatable. Her condition steadily declined. On December 29, 2025 she was transferred to Peace Arch Melville Hospice in White Rock, B.C. where she peacefully died on January 21, 2026.

Vera is predeceased by her parents John J. and Margareta (Sawatzky) Dyck, brothers John and Henry. She is survived by her husband Johann, children Ian (Tammy Hummel) and Candace (Greg MacDonald), grandchildren Jonathan and Eliana, nephews and nieces Quentin, Lori, Derek, Earl, Bonnie, Stewart, Heather, Jason, Elyssa, and Thor, many grand nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

The family is appreciative of the attentiveness of staff of the palliative care team from Fraser Health and Peace Arch Melville Hospice in Vera’s final months.  Their presence was a comfort to all of us allowing us to process the grief of our impending loss.

A celebration of Vera’s life will be held at Langley Mennonite Fellowship at 20997 40th Ave., Township of Langley, February 21, 2026 at 2:00pm, followed by light refreshments and impromptu tributes.

In memory of Vera consider her yearly practice, along with Eliana, of preparing Infant Care Kits through MCC (https://mcc.org/get-involved/kits/infant).