ESTHER DUECK

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DAVID DUECK ESTHER DUECK Together Forever Our parents, David Dueck aged 92 and Esther Dueck (nee Kornelson) aged 88, of Winnipeg, formerly of Rosenort, Manitoba passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 within one and one half hours of each other, after several months of serious illness. They were married for almost 64 years. David Dueck was born on June 1, 1920. After he finished school at the age of 15, he enjoyed working on the family farm. David was a Conscientious Objector stationed at Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park; there he began corresponding with a girl back home who happened to be his friend's sister. Esther Kornelson was born on December 4, 1924. As she was growing up she enjoyed the hard work on the farm. One of her favourite sports was skating and she frequented the local outdoor rink. She felt that her brother's friend, David Dueck, wasn't at the rink often enough. She would look for him but he was frequently away, employed at a lumber camp. After some dates and long distance correspondence, David and Esther were married on May 8, 1949. Their farm, a quarter of a mile south of David's birthplace, was their first home for 12 years. Our parents enjoyed mixed farming. The family survived the flood of 1950 and Dad was relieved to be reunited with Mom and the baby, who had been evacuated to Steinbach. This experience remained difficult to talk about for a long time. In 1950 David and Esther had a daughter, Barbara. In 1951, Alviera joined the family. Leonard, who was born in 1953, died at six weeks of age. Another son, Raymond was born in 1954. Then, as if these three were not enough of a handful, Mom and Dad began having children in two's! Mary Ann and Margaret Rose, twin girls were born in 1955, followed by another set of twins Delbert and Delores in 1958. Lydia was born in 1962 to complete the equation - four twins and four non-twins. Our folks purchased a farm in the Interlake and moved to Arborg in 1961. The farming style changed and expanded and they began raising cattle, over 100 head, which required intensive haying. They also raised turkeys and chickens, and grew registered seed, crops, vegetables and beautiful flower gardens. By necessity, Dad became handy with all types of machinery. Mom's interest in sewing and fabrics was a great source of creative energy and even awakened her business sense. From 1974 till 1980 she owned the Country Fabrics store. The business venture proved to be fulfilling for her. Mom and Dad's faith was important to them. In their early 20s, they were baptized and joined the Rosenort EMC Church. Their involvement in many church activities, which included being MCC representatives, had an impact in the communities in which they lived. Mom loved singing and taught us many songs. Our family has spent many happy times around the campfire or at gatherings, singing folk songs, choruses, and hymns. This proved to be a great comfort to them and the family over the last few difficult weeks. In 1981 our parents sold their farm and moved to Winnipeg. To keep busy, Dad got a part time job as a bus driver for the Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary School and Mom had causal baby-sitting jobs. They were not prepared, however, to settle down in the city. Mom and Dad began scouting around for property to farm, considering strawberries and grain. They purchased river acreage just northwest of Winnipeg. They began gardening in earnest. Every fall they would show up at their children's homes with their car trunk full of garden produce and also donated generously to Winnipeg Harvest. They were active participants in many seniors groups and volunteered their time at MCC shops. It was with a sense of loss, but a realization that keeping up the acreage was getting to be too much, in 1998 they decided to sell and move to Charleswood. After retirement our parents travelled to many interesting places including Alaska, Belize, Mexico, Europe, Australia, Hawaii, China and Israel. Mom and Dad lived a rich and fulfilled life with relatively good health. They enjoyed getting together with the family and made a point to connect personally to each of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2006 Mom and Dad moved into Linden Woods Terrace, an assisted living community. Their life continued to be filled with family times, activities and new friends. Dad was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in November 2012. Mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January 2013. Although there were several difficult hospital stays, they were able to spend two happy weeks together in March at the nursing home. During the last week both Mom and Dad were very ill and we knew the end was near. Mom passed away at 3:25 a.m. and Dad passed away at 5:05 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2013...Together forever! They will be missed by Barb and Paul Friesen, Alviera and Marvin Plett, Ray and Suzanne Dueck, Mary Ann and Neil Dueck, Margaret Rose and Ron Krueger, Delbert and Rebecca Dueck, Delores Dueck, Lydia and John Brost; 20 grandchildren: Gwen, Colleen (Ross), Claude (Laura), Curtis, Barrett (Sandy), Brad (Kathy), Ben (Kendra), Rachel (Russ), Carlee-ann (Dion), Tiffany, Dawson (Amie), Alicia (Jodi), Trevor, Jeff, Brittany (Miguel), Chantelle (Kevin), Colin, Nathan, Sarah, Caleb; 15 great-grandchildren, Dad's sister, and Mom's two sisters and one brother. Viewing will be held at the Fort Garry EMC Church, 602 Pasadena Avenue, Winnipeg on Monday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. A celebration of life will be held on April 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Rosenort EMC Church with interment at the church cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2013