Jeffrey Michael Dika, resident of Edmonton, formerly of Rycroft and White Mountain, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital at the age of 75 years.
Jeff was born in Sexsmith and raised in Rycroft. He completed his journeyman welder certification at NAIT and returned to Rycroft to work for Dika Construction. In 1979, he moved out to White Mountain to manage the Dika family farm, and remained there raising his family and farming “in God’s country” for 40 years. He moved to Lewis Estates Retirement Residence in Edmonton in 2019 to live near his children.
Jeff was a man of few words, some of them not fit for an obituary. Under a hard shell was a man who would help anyone in need and treated his friends like family. Over the years, he enjoyed ski trips, golf tournaments, wagon trail rides, and time with loved ones at “the hill”. He was a strong caregiver to his wife Linda during her final years.
He will be sadly missed by his children and their families: Sandra (Miguel Pando, Diego, Maya), Jodie Rajotte (Brian, Kiersten, Reaghan), and Chad (Nichol Sopkow, Jesse, Sydnee); his siblings: Greg (Diane), Mary (Eddie) Fisher; and in-laws: Trudy Dika, Hugh Readman, Larry Readman, and Wayne Readman.
He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Linda (Readman); his parents, Michael and Ellen; and brother Leslie.
In lieu of flowers, if you are so moved, please send donations to Colorectal Cancer Canada (www.colorectalcancercanada.com) or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 072 (www.legion.ca/donations).
A memorial gathering was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 1:30-4:30pm, at the Rycroft Community Hall.