DITTRICK
With deep sadness and unending love we announce the passing of Wayne Kenneth Dittrick of Rimbey, Alberta. Wayne passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at the age of 71 years.
Wayne was born on February 26, 1952, in St. Catharines, Ontario to Mac and Joan Dittrick. He was the eldest of four children: Wayne, David, Delena, and Robert. Wayne had an adventurous childhood growing up on the Niagara Escarpment. The family spent lots of time camping and fishing. He talked of occasions catching eels and snapping turtles. Wayne and his brother David had many good times together exploring wooded areas around their home. At the age of 22 years, Wayne joined the Canadian Armed Forces. He, kind of, informally met his future wife Joan during basic training in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, by accidently kicking a soccer ball in her face! After basic training, Wayne was transferred to Borden, Ontario for his trades training. He went through Borden at the same time as Joan, as they were in the same trade. After graduating the Air Frame Technician course, Wayne did not get any of his posting preference requests of Ottawa, North Bay, or Trenton. Instead he got posted to Cold Lake, Alberta, which a month later is where Joan got posted to. Fate ensured they found each other again, they started dating, and – well, the rest is history! Wayne and Joan were married in November, 1975. They spent 14 years in Cold Lake where Wayne was involved in Scouting, fishing, bird hunting, camping, and boating. Afterward, Wayne and his family received a posting to Trenton. He was assigned the task of setting up the inside of 707s to please Brian Mulroney’s lovely wife Mila. It was not a pleasant task! The family then spent nine months in Borden before Wayne obtained his discharge and they moved back to Alberta, settling in Sherwood Park. Their final move was to Rimbey, where Wayne and Joan were active members of the Rimbey Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, as well as the Rimbey Fish and Game Association. Wayne continued to enjoy camping and fishing until the last year before his passing.
Wayne leaves behind his loving wife Joan; one son Justin (Leanne) Dittrick and their family Trinity, Tyler, Sam, and Hudson; and one daughter Shawna (Matthew) Wecker and their family Jesse, Layne, Rylan, and Kacey. He also leaves behind his mother Joan Dittrick of Thorold, Ontario; two brothers David (Donna), and Robert (Angie); and one sister Delena (Peter), and their families. Wayne was predeceased by his father Mac in 2020.
A Memorial Service in Celebration of Wayne’s Life was held at the Zion Lutheran Church, Rimbey on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Al Lewis officiating. Wayne was laid to rest in the Glenwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Sherwood Park at a later date. If desired, memorial donations in his memory may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT, #306, 10430 – 61 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 2J3 (www.alzheimer.ca). Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.
Service and Cremation Arrangements for the late Wayne Kenneth Dittrick entrusted to the care of
