Ivanka Dimnik

Ivanka Dimnik of Lethbridge, Alberta, beloved wife of the late Anton (Tony) Dimnik, passed away on April 22, 2019 at the age of 96 years.

Born in Goriča Vas, Slovenia on August 4, 1922, Ivanka was the 10th child of Jakob and Ana Maté.  She resided in Slovenia until near the end of World War II when, to escape the ravages of war, she and her younger sister were sent by their family to seek temporary refuge in Austria. That temporary refuge lasted for three years, after which Ivanka and her sister emigrated to Canada.  Ivanka eventually settled in Lethbridge to be with her future husband, Tony. Ivanka met Tony just months before leaving Austria.  That short time together led to a year long courtship consisting of eloquent poetic love letters to each other until Tony emigrated to Canada. Ivanka and Tony reunited in 1949 and married in 1950.

Throughout her life, Ivanka displayed a strong personality which included characteristics of tenacity, determination, selflessness, responsibility for others and a strong instinct to survive. All of that was coupled with a very strong faith in God and prayer. Ivanka’s instinct to survive was evident not only in the struggle she endured as a non-English speaking immigrant to Canada, but also in facing serious health challenges. This included a near death experience in 1958 when after her heart and breathing stopped and she started to “move toward the bright light,” she turned back thinking that she could not die leaving her husband alone with five young children. After that experience, she rallied from and conquered other illnesses, including lung cancer and a stroke.  In addition to her strong personality Ivanka, especially in her later years, was known as a lady of grace, elegance, beauty and a person with a warm and welcoming smile.

While all of Ivanka’s formal education was in Slovenia, including college level education where she excelled in the area of mathematics, she was a life long learner and encouraged her children to be the same.  All six of her children have excelled in educational endeavours leading to multiple post secondary and graduate degrees.

Ivanka was a member of the Our Lady of Assumption Church serving in various ministries over the years and a long- time member of the Catholic Women’s League.

Ivanka’s memory will be cherished and she will be dearly missed by her children: Tony Dimnik of Belleville, Ontario; Martha (Ralph) Ottenbreit of Regina, Saskatchewan; Stan (Jane) Dimnik of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Hedy (Michael) Lemiski of Calgary, Alberta; Barbara (Dave) Snopek of Cranbrook, British Columbia; and Michael (Michelle) Dimnik of Lethbridge, Alberta.  Ivanka is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and several in-laws.

Ivanka was predeceased by her loving husband Tony, her cherished daughter-in-law Judith, her parents and her 10 siblings.

A Vigil Rites (Prayer Service) will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2019 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge AB, with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant.  Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined.  For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 110-1525 Carling Avenue Ottawa, ON, K1Z 8R9 (donorinfo@heartandstroke.ca).

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