John (Johann) Dueck

1934 – 2008

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of John Dueck of Carman, MB, on January 24, 2008, at Carman Memorial Hospital at the age of 73 years.

He will be missed by his wife, Verna (nee Wiebe) of Carman with whom he shared 49 years of marriage; 1 daughter, Beverly and Gerald Neufeld (Juanita, Lucas, Jonathan, Kelli, Kevin, Timothy and great-grandchildren Anthony and Aimee); 4 sons,  Raymond and Irene Dueck (Justina, Jeff, Raymond Jr., Joanne, Levi, Emily, Robert); Marvin and Marilyn Dueck (Jason); Darcy and Connie Dueck (Rachel, Bradley); Steven and Pamela Dueck.  As well, he is survived by five sisters and two brothers and their families.

He was predeceased by 1 son; and 2 grandchildren; one sister and one brother.

On March 2, 1934, Grandpa was born in Alt-Bergthal to Peter and Sara Dueck. He attended school in Alt-Bergthal, and he was baptized in the Sommerfelder Church.  When he was thirteen years old, Grandpa moved with his family to Paraguay. In 1949, he had his fourteenth birthday in the Tropic of Cancer at the 24th parallel south of the equator in South America. The family returned to Canada after a nine-month stay, and Grandpa began working out in various jobs across Manitoba and Alberta. He moved to Winnipeg, where he worked in different positions, including a job at Eaton’s.

On September 21, 1958, Grandpa and Grandma were married in the Altona Bergthaler Church. He left Eaton’s and began working at the Plant Sciences Department in potato research at the University of Manitoba. Grandpa and Grandma moved to several locations in Winnipeg, and then settled at Lee Boulevard. He started raising poultry and exotic pheasants, and he gardened. They started to farm at Glenlea, and then they moved to a dairy at Stephenfield, where they raised poultry, grew crops, and raised their five children. Grandpa also worked for Harms, moving houses. In 1989, he had his 55th birthday at the 55th parallel due north in Manitoba. In 1997, Grandpa and Grandma moved for a second time to the red brick house in Carman where Grandpa kept busy with an apartment maintenance position, managing the Self-Help store, gardening, and enjoying his family. One highlight of this time was a road trip to Mexico.

These are the things that gave Grandpa joy were: his family and friends, his faith, his work at the Carman Self-Help, tinkering, joking around, reading, and growing beautiful things (especially his roses). Up to the end, he had the heart of a young man.

Funeral service was held Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 11:00 am at Graysville Mennonite Church with Pastor Norm Dyck and Rev. Gerald Neufeld officiating.  Interment followed at the Church Cemetery.

We are grateful to the people involved in helping us plan the funeral. As well, we would like to thank the staff at the Carman Hospital for their care of Grandpa.

~The Dueck Family

Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.