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DR. FRANK DUERKSEN
Dr. Frank Duerksen, a cherished physician and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend passed away at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home in Winnipeg on February 21, 2025, while holding the hand of his life’s devoted companion Anni. He died of complications from pneumonia, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 82 years old.
Born in the Paraguayan Chaco, to Mennonite missionary parents, Dr. Duerksen would dedicate his life to serving God and helping those suffering from Leprosy. He went to medical school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he met and married the love of his life, Anni. His continued training and work took them across the world.
He studied reconstructive surgery for leprosy treatment in Ethiopia and worked at the KM 81 Leprosy Hospital in Paraguay. In Canada he continued his training in orthopaedics, plastics and hand surgery (a passion of his), which allowed him to offer his Leprosy patients life changing reconstructive surgery. He helped establish the first Leprosy surgery teaching hospitals in Brazil.
In addition, Dr. Duerksen was a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Manitoba, working full time at the Health Sciences Centre as an Orthopaedic surgeon where he started the Diabetic Foot Clinic and Hand Clinic. His work took him to many remote Northern Manitoba communities, which he enjoyed immensely.
His belief that every patient deserves to be treated with dignity drove him to innovate and advocate for improvements in the treatment of those suffering from Leprosy around the world. His legacy is a life lived in the service of others, guided by his faith in God and an enduring passion for the art and science of medicine. He was known not only for his ground-breaking clinical and surgical work but also for the empathy he had for his patients, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals.
Known as Opa to his grandchildren and Opapa to his great-grandchildren, Frank relished their regular visits, which always brought a smile to his face. He loved and cherished every one of his family members very much.
He is survived by his loving partner and wife of over 61 years, Anni Duerksen, as well as his children, Ingrid Loewen (Dieter), Rob (Liz) and Ron, predeceased by his son, Carl (Shelley), grandchildren, Daniel (Andrea), Benjamin (Sara), Samantha, Rebecca (Mickey), Larissa (Joel), and Emma and nine great-grandchildren as well as brothers, Ed, Albert, and sisters, Annegret, Veronica, Ruth and Karin, predeceased by his sister Elvira.
The family thanks the staff at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home for their care and kindness.
A memorial service and lunch will be held to celebrate his life and honour his remarkable legacy at Portage Avenue Church, 1420 Portage Ave., Winnipeg on Saturday, March 8 starting at 11:00 a.m. The service will be live streamed at www.pachurch.ca/FrankDuerksen
The family welcomes your condolences and stories of Frank here on the Free Press Obituary, or by email: ronduerksen@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations made to the Leprosy Hospital KM 81 in Frank’s name. Steinbach Credit Union Account #100100857516. Profile name: HOSPITAL MENNONITA KM 81. Upon donating, send an email to secretaria@km81.org with the amount of the donation and ask for the confirmation and tax receipt.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 01, 2025
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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I met Frank in the early 1970’s. I was a medical colleague and was impressed by his surgical skills and his humble gentle manner. He was a committed Christian and we had association in later life through the Christian Medical Dental Association. I learned of his passing very recently and wanted his family to know of the excellent example he was and the high regard he was held in. - Posted by: Donald J. Peters (Medical colleague) on: Jul 03, 2025
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Dear Anni and family my condolences go out to you. It was a privilege to have known and been taught by Frank in Residency. He was a selfless man dedicated to caring for the patient, here in Manitoba or at Kilometer 81 Hospital. Many things he taught me, stick with me today. These were not just clinical and surgical things but also empathy and striving to take care of patients. He was a great example to follow. - Posted by: Jeff Engel (Student) on: Mar 07, 2025
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Helen and I send sympathy to Anni and the family. As well as being a superb and careful surgeon, Frank had many great ideas in the development of assistive devices in the department of Rehabilitation Engineering of HSC. Many people with physical disabilities have reason to be grateful. - Posted by: David Lyttle (Colleague and Friend) on: Mar 05, 2025
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Dear Anni and family, My prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of Frank. He was a noble man, a caring physician and a superb surgeon. It was an honor for me to have known Frank and to have worked with him. Bob Blanchard - Posted by: Dr. Bob Blanchard (former colleague) on: Mar 04, 2025
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Sherry and I are very sorry at the passing of Frank. An incredible surgeon and mentor. A pioneer in Leprosy surgery, who was so driven by non monetary considerations and truly someone who wanted to help the poor and less fortunate not only in Paraguay but here in Winnipeg. He was a great teacher very patient and some of the things he taught me stuck with me to this day. He was quiet and hard working, with a pragmatic no nonsense approach. He had little time for drama, politics and fanfare, and avoided accolades. I was very fortunate to work with him and under him. Thank you Frank. - Posted by: Peter MacDonald (Colleague and former student) on: Mar 02, 2025
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Dr Duerksen was a special surgeon I worked with at HSC for many years in the operating room. Fond memories and great respect for him. I have his signed book which I treasure. He did great work and helped many leprosy patients. I bet he just loved all those grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Condolences to all of you. - Posted by: Tammy L Decelles (Operating room technician) on: Mar 01, 2025
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My sincere condolences to Anni and family. Frank and I shared the the same birth date (Nov. 7) and we would celebrate together in our offices at HSC and set the fire alarm off with the candles on our cake. He was a gentle man. We all adored him and Anni. - Posted by: Carol (Co-worker(Vascular Surgery) and friend) on: Mar 01, 2025
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I got to know Dr. Duerksen, mostly over the phone, during my years with the paging department at Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Duerksen was a kind and gentle man, and was never grumpy when I would contact him along the wee hours of the night when unable to get the resident on call. Words cannot express my deepest condolences to his family. - Posted by: Judi McFarland (Friend) on: Mar 01, 2025
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I got to know Dr. Duerksen, mostly over the phone, during my years with the paging department at Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Duerksen was a kind and gentle man, and was never grumpy when I would contact him along the wee hours of the night when unable to get the resident on call. Words cannot express my deepest condolences to his family. - Posted by: Judi McFarland (Friend) on: Mar 01, 2025