Vie was born in Lipton, SK on November 7th, 1926 to Minnie and Ben Dirksen.
She is survived by her husband, Norm; her daughters and sons: Aileen Flaten (Bernie Mazurik), Pat Flaten, Don Flaten (Tanis Minish), and Brent (Carol) Flaten; and her grandchildren: Matt Mazurik (Rochelle Yelland), Kathrina Mazurik (Brook Byrnes), Anna Mazurik, Nels Flaten, Nathaniel Flaten, Erica Flaten, and Nicole Flaten, as well as her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Bev and Don Hansen, Delbert and Doris Flaten, Shirley Flaten, Audrey and Fred Wilson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vie was predeceased by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Agnes and Herb Piller; her brother and sister-in-law, Irvin and Joyce Dirksen; and her grandson, David Flaten.
Vie grew up in Broadview and Wolseley, SK, before moving to Regina as a teenager in 1943, where she worked in the offices for Simpsons and Canada Liquid Air. She married Norm Flaten in 1952 and they moved to their farm west of Weyburn in 1953.
From the late 1950s until 1975, our family moved back and forth between two homes. One home was in Saskatoon, where Norm taught at the university during the fall and winter and one home was on the farm near Weyburn. Most of Vie’s time was fully occupied by caring for our home(s) and family. However, after the kids were old enough to look after themselves a bit, Vie periodically worked part-time in the credit offices for Simpsons and Zellers in Saskatoon. In 1975, Vie and Norm returned to living the full year on the farm, until 2006 when they retired and moved to the city of Weyburn.
For over 60 years, Vie was the foundation for everyone in our family, supporting us in every way. No matter how challenging the circumstances, Mom always supported us. She worked extremely hard and made many sacrifices; she always took a sincere interest in our lives and provided encouragement and guidance in a loving and thoughtful manner. And, until the very end of her life, she continued to teach us lessons about life, not only through insightful conversations, but also by the example of how she lived her own life.
Even though the efforts of raising our family were substantial, Vie always made time for community activities. Vie was a dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Community Church, where she contributed to many church activities and where she enjoyed a very generous, supportive, and loving community. Within the rural community near the farm, Vie enjoyed lifelong friendships with her neighbours in the Yeoman Sewing Circle and the Town and Country Women’s group. As a result of these and other contributions to the agricultural community in the Weyburn area, Vie and Norm received the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce Golden Sheaf Award as a couple in 1996.
We will always be grateful for Vie’s steadfast love and support for our family, along with her care for her community. Because of her encouragement and material support, her spirit will live on through her family and friends. That will be her greatest legacy. However, we will miss her dearly.
Special thanks to Pastor Tim McKinnon and the members of Calvary Baptist Community Church, as well as Tanya Kwochka and Holly Adamache (Comforts of Home Senior Care), and the staff at Parkway Lodge and the Weyburn General Hospital who provided so much support for Vie during her later years. In addition, Vie’s family wishes to thank the wonderful neighbours, friends, and relatives who provided such loyal friendship and support for mom throughout her entire life.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. from the Calvary Baptist Community Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Pastor Tim Mackinnon officiating. A Private Family Interment will take place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Vie may be sent to Calvary Baptist Community Church, Weyburn Humane Society, Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation, or another charity of your choice.
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