JACOB ELDON DUECK

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JACOB DUECK
August 27, 1931 – August 12, 2022

Jacob Eldon Dueck, my loving husband, our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother was born to Isaac J. and Marianna Nightingale on August 27, 1931 at Steinbach, Manitoba. At the age of two he was graciously and lovingly received into the home of David P. and Gertrude Dueck near Ste. Anne. He departed this life peacefully at Maplewood Manor on Friday, August 12, 2022, due to a stroke.
Dad gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ on December 10, 1944, by minister Jonas B. Koehn. He loved the Lord and was faithful to the end. His favorite song was "What a Friend we have in Jesus". As children we are thankful for the secure home he provided. His desire was that we all meet in Heaven someday.
On July 25, 1957, he was joined in marriage to Anne Goossen at Rosenort, Manitoba and enjoyed over 65 years together. Their home was blessed with eight children. Dad's quiet, contented manner pointed to Jesus and His forgiveness.
Dad enjoyed talking of school days. None of the students in first grade knew more than a few words of English. So before teaching math and spelling, their teacher had to teach them to speak English.
Dad was enthusiastic about advances in farming. In eighth grade, his dad bought another horse so he could harrow with three horses and five harrow sections, saving a lot of time. In the fall he plowed with a Fordson and a two-share plow. In his lifetime, there were huge changes in Agriculture. Dad began farming with a horse drawn plow and later was privileged to drive an air-conditioned tractor equipped with autosteer. Grain farming and selling seed grain provided for the family. Dad enjoyed growing seed plots and testing different varieties. He farmed for 51 years including several years after moving to the town of Ste. Anne.
During the winter, dad would work in the bush camps, trucking the sawn lumber from the sawmill in the bush to the box factory in Winnipeg. Many hair-raising stories came out of those years. Once they were married, Mom would go with him some winters, cooking for them.
Mom first noticed dad in the flood of 1950, when she was helping serve food to the workers. Later, she was house help for her sister, Bertha and dad was working for their neighbor. He came there for supper. Mom poured tea for dad, and the cup overflowed as they looked into each other's eyes.
Folks travelled to visit their children, going to Germany, Ukraine, Hawaii, Toronto, and California. Russ and dad toured Alaska, bringing back fish and gifts for the family. Dad often spoke of how he enjoyed this trip.
Dad loved and cared for his sister, Marjorie. Going to Portage once a month to visit her was very important to him.
He looked forward to family and friends stopping by. Living on the main road, this happened a lot, some people staying overnight because they were stranded on the road. In later years, Dad enjoyed working on his wood lathe in the shop, as well as, living along the river and feeding the wild geese there. He loved visiting new Canadian residents, listening to their stories and helping them along. He enjoyed reading his Bible and books as well as being part of the Rosewood congregation, praying for the ministers every day.
He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Anne, children; Ron and Janice, Lavonne, Warren and Lorrie, Russ, Lana and Rick, Brian and Lydia, Sherri and Matt, Ken and Leudy, 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, his sisters Marjorie and Norma, sisters-in-law Anna Nightingale and Edda Nightingale; in-laws Ella and Gladwin Penner, Victor Goossen and Percy Goossen.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings John, Eddie, Albert, Mary, Mathilda, Louis and Ike.
The viewing service was held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.
The funeral service was held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Rosewood Mennonite Church, Ste. Anne, MB.
A special thanks to Bethesda and Ste. Anne Hospital, Maplewood Manor and caregiver Bianka Giesbrecht for the excellent care our Dad received.

As published in The Carillon on Aug 18, 2022