Obituary of Alice Bieker

Mrs. Alice Marie Bieker (née Deaust), aged 92, of Foyer D’Youville in Gravelbourg, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024. Alice was born on October 19, 1931, in Gravelbourg to Charles and Yvonne Deaust, the eldest of the four “Charlie’s Angels.” After graduating high school in her hometown, she pursued her nursing training in Regina, graduating in 1955. A year later, she married Vernon Bieker, and the couple moved to Tahsis, British Columbia, to start their family. Vern worked in the lumber industry, while Alice nursed when needed. During their time in Tahsis, they welcomed three of their four children.

In 1960, Vern’s new job opportunity led the family to Surrey, BC, where their fourth child was born, completing the family. Another move followed, first to Oliver, BC, then a year later to Smithers, BC, with the final pre-retirement destination being Vernon, BC. Alice became quite adept at managing the family’s many moves!

In the early 1980s, Alice and Vern decided to slow down and change directions entirely. They purchased a hardware store franchise and returned to their beloved Saskatchewan, first settling in Humboldt and later in Watson. Following Vern’s passing in 1988, Alice became deeply involved in her community. She dedicated 15 years to volunteering with the Watson Housing Authority, organized bridge tournaments and fundraisers, helped with seniors’ flu vaccinations, and spent countless years as Mrs. Claus for Santa Claus Days. In 2005, Alice was honoured for her contributions to the community by being named the provincial Citizen of the Year.

In 2017, Alice decided to retire once more, this time returning to Gravelbourg, where she joined her sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends. She delighted in her passions: playing cards (win or lose), savouring fresh fish, garden-fresh vegetables—especially corn on the cob—and tending to her flowers. Though she never had a green thumb, she loved her flowers almost as much as her corn on the cob!

Alice will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Theresa Nickoli of Vernon, BC; Mark “Woody” (Kyllikki) Bieker of Enderby, BC; Marie Capewell of Vancouver, BC; and Lorraine (Daryl) Bateman of Selkirk, MB. She is also survived by her six grandchildren Aaron (Miki), Tania, Christine (Dean), Colleen, Robert “Bob” and Keith; eight great-grandchildren Katy, Ethan, Von, Aito, Emily, Allison, Ethan, Julianna and great-great-grandchild Chase. Cherishing her memory as well are her two sisters, Aurore Michaud and Aline Ratzlaff, and her many nieces and nephews. Alice was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Yvonne, her husband, Vernon Bieker, and her sister, Rita Samoisette.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 28, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, officiated by Fr. Kouame. Interment will follow at the Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery. Donations in Alice’s memory may be made to the Foyer D’Youville Foundation, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK, S0H 1X0, where she received exceptional care in her final years.