Richard Dean Van Oene, was born in Brooks, AB on September 26 ^th , 1959 to Isabel Cook and Roy Van Oene and was raised in Pierson, Manitoba.  At age 18 he moved to Tilley, Alberta, where he became best friends with Ted Morse.  Rick then met Ted's sister, Wendy, the love of his life.  Their parents Roger and Louella Morse soon became his second family.  Three years later Rick and Wendy were married on September 27 ^th , 1980.  Rick and Wendy then started their family in 1983, when they adopted their first son Derrick Craig, 7 years later they adopted their only daughter, Brandie Rae in 1990.  They completed their family in 1993, when they adopted their baby boy Justin Walter.  Working as a carpenter Rick furthered his career and received his Journeyman Certificate from Medicine Hat College.  He specialized in finishing carpentry and was very well known for his precision and pride in his work.  Rick was a very devoted family man, who took his kids to Disneyland, Calaway Park, Universal Studios, and many other locations and was also there for all Christmas concerts and other events.  His greatest passion was to build and teach his kids the art of carpentry.  Rick's greatest joy in life was his children and wife.  His biggest accomplishment was watching his first child Derrick graduate in 2000, followed by his daughter Brandie in 2008, and then finally in 2013 his youngest Justin.  In December 2011, Rick became a very overly excited and proud Grampa, when his first grandson Florin Andie was born. He got to experience being an exited and proud Grampa again in May 2015, when his first granddaughter Eirwyn Shae was born.  Once again, the most enjoyable part in his life was teaching his grandchildren woodworking, skating, and other numerous activities.  What Rick didn't know about the activity the grandkids wanted to do, he took the time to learn, build, and prepare for them to experience each and every activity they were interested in.  Fighting diabetes since he was a preschooler, the flu and other complications has taken his life on Tuesday, January 28 ^th , 2020 at the age of 60 years.  Rick was predeceased by his mother Isabel Cook, father Roy Van Oene and a brother Andrew Van Oene.  He is survived by his wife Wendy Van Oene; son Derrick Van Oene; daughter Brandie Butt and her husband Shaaz Butt and their son Florin Butt and daughter Eirwyn Butt; son Justin Van Oene; brother Clifford Van Oene and his wife Virginia Van Oene; sister Hazel Charles and her husband Russ Charles; brother Eldon Burnett; brother Ron Van Oene and his wife Sylvia Van Oene; brother Lyle Van Oene and his wife Lisa Van Oene; sister Debbie Arnason and her husband Brad Arnason and numerous nieces and nephews.  Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 5 ^th at 2:00 PM from the Tilley Community Centre. Rev. John Theiss officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brandie Butt, Florin Butt, Eirwyn Butt, Eldon Burnett, Lyle Van Oene, Steve Kakuk and Cliff Van Oene. Active Pallbearers will be Derrick Van Oene, Justin Van Oene, Shaaz Butt, Chris Morse, Ron Van Oene and Maurcie Hayes. A Funeral Reception will be held at the Tilley Community Centre.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks