DAVID D. DUERKSEN

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DAVID D. DUERKSEN On December 10, 2006 David D. Duerksen passed away peacefully at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home. David was born in Russia on May 11, 1923. He came to Canada when he was 2 years old. David spent his early years in various small towns in southern Manitoba where his father was a teacher and a minister. David began his teaching career in 1942 immediately after graduating from high school. He taught in various southern Manitoba towns as well as one year in Yarrow, B.C. The majority of David's teaching career was spent in Seven Oaks School Division at Edmund Partridge Junior High School and West Kildonan Collegiate. David also taught at MBCI for 2 years. He instilled a passion for literature in his students through his teaching of high school English. David was a poet, a prose writer and a speaker who enjoyed sharing his thoughts with a wide audience. He retired at age 60 and remained passionate about education, particularly through involvements at MBBC, public speaking and cycling. At age 68 while giving a talk at MBBC, he suffered a stroke which affected his right side and his ability to communicate. Despite living for 15 y ears in diminished circumstances, David maintained a vitality of life. He will be fondly remembered by his beloved wife Elfrieda and his children and their spouses, Joan (Bob Dueck), Carl (Cheryl Dyck), Don (Janice Siemens) and Mark (Kim); his grandchildren, David (Carrie), Anthony, Lisa, Jessica, Heather, Kari, Christina and James. Also, he is survived by his sisters Frieda and Helen (Len Braun), his brother-in-law Alfred Rempel and his sister-in law Dorothy (Helmut Huebert), nieces, nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Mary and his brother-in-law Rudy Rempel. Special thanks to the staff at Bethania Personal Care Home and to Dr. Ray Martens, also to the pastors and congregation of the River East Mennonite Brethren Church. Viewing will take place on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at Green Acres Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at River East Mennonite Brethren Church, 755 McLeod Ave. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee. FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE 2146 Main Street 339-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2006