OLGA DUECK

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OLGA DUECK Olga (Neufeld) Dueck, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on October 22, 2007, at Donwood Manor. Olga was predeceased by her first son, William Edward (Juliana) in 2001. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband William Alexander, and her children, Richard (Maureen MacDougall), Dr. Gerald (Dr. Barbara Gfellner) and Sharon (Eric); and beloved grandchildren Dr. Dorie-Anna (Phillip Banks) and Trevor; Liana (Chris Kennedy), Hans and Brendan; and Catherine, Lauren and Victoria; and one great- grandchild, Frances Kennedy. She is also mourned by one surviving sister, Mary (Peter Stobbe) and numerous nieces and nephews. Born in the Ukraine on March 2, 1918, as the fourth of seven children of Johann and Elizabeth Neufeld, Olga's early childhood coincided with the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution. Amidst the turmoil of the absorption of Ukraine into the Soviet Republic, her parents elected to immigrate to Canada. In 1924, at the age of six, Olga found herself on a long sea voyage and a longer rail voyage to the Canadian prairies. The Neufeld family finally settled near Meadows, Manitoba, where they lived for almost 15 years. At the end of the depression, the Neufeld family moved to North Kildonan where she met William Dueck. Married on August 3, 1941, the first years of marriage were spent teaching in Arborg, while the latter years of the Second World War were spent performing alternative service in Oxford House. With three young children and a fourth to come, Olga and Bill settled into post-war life in North Kildonan. Olga was an accomplished seamstress and worked for many years in the drapery department of The Bay. Her lifestyle included organizing the childrens' activities, serving in the church, family time at the cottage at Camp Arnes, picking fruit and vegetables for canning, needlework, quilting and sewing. She was also an avid swimmer and taught swimming at the East Kildonan YMCA and in the cold waters of Lake Winnipeg at Camp Arnes. Golfing and bowling were also activities in which she excelled. In 1984 Olga and Bill moved into retirement mode, spending winters in Florida and Texas and traveling to Europe and the Far East. By their 50th wedding anniversary in 1991, Olga had become an exemplar of the Canadian dream, progressing from a child on an immigrant ship to a cruise-shipping North Kildonan matron. Olga and Bill lived in a progression of self-built homes, each more beautiful than the previous, finally settling on the east bank of the Red River on Kildonan Drive and later in a condo overlooking the river. After 65 years of marriage, Olga was no longer able to care for Bill at home, but was still able to drive herself to visit him in Donwood Manor. Olga was diagnosed with blood cancer in 1999. Despite a short prognosis, she remained in her home before moving into Donwood Manor in April of 2007. The strong themes in Olga's life were church and family. Olga and Bill were members of North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren church. As the church grew, they became involved with the formation of the McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren church as charter members. A deeply religious woman, Olga provided her children with a thorough grounding in the Mennonite faith. The family would like to thank the staff of Donwood Personal Care Home, Dr. R. Martens, and the staff at the Oncology Department of Concordia Hospital for their kind and compassionate care. If friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, Camp Arnes or the Mennonite Central Committee. There will be a viewing Thursday evening, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg. Interment will occur at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens and Cemetery, 4477 Main St., 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 26. There will be a memorial service at McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, 200 McIvor Ave., at 11:00 a.m. FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE 2146 Main Street 339-5555

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2007