Vernon Dueck

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VERNON PENNER DUECK
April 23, 1935 - March 21, 2016

Vernon Penner Dueck was born to John and Anna Penner Dueck in Steinbach, Manitoba on April 23, 1935. He peacefully passed away on March 21, 2016 at the Maplewood Manor in Steinbach, Manitoba with his family by his side.

Dad’s childhood years were spent on the family farm. At the age of 8 years old, he lost his mother. The memories of that sad time always brought tears to his eyes. For 9 years, he attended the Montezuma School at Greenland. He responded to God’s call and at the age of 15, was baptized into the Church of God In Christ, Mennonite, on December 10, 1950. Even though Dad was not a man of many words, he knew the path he wanted to take and diligently walked it. His Christian life was very important to him, and we often heard him praying.

He found his life’s companion in me, Emily Wiebe. We were married on May 3, 1959. We shared a double wedding with Denver and Lavina Wiebe. The first two months we lived on our parent’s yard, then moved onto our farm in the Greenland community where we raised our four sons and five daughters. We were blessed with nearly fifty seven years together.

Throughout their lives our parents opened their home to many, often including others at our Christmas gatherings. Corey Friesen came to live with Dad and Mom and became part of our family.

Dad enjoyed a variety of occupations. In his younger years he did carpentry and spent a number of winters working in lumber camps. He enjoyed those years often talking about them. He was Hart Feeds first employee, doing the books, mixing feed and delivering it. He was a farmer at heart; for almost forty years he farmed grain and had laying hens.

As children growing up we have many precious memories of spontaneous picnics, blueberry picking and outings to the zoo. We enjoyed many family trips. Dad enjoyed singing while he worked. He was a quiet meticulous man, doing his best. His sense of humor and gentle smile endeared him to everyone he met.

In 2003, Dad and Mom built their retirement home in Ste Anne, Manitoba, where they formed special friendships. Because of declining health, our Dad moved into the Maplewood Manor in January of 2013. We as a family are very grateful for the excellent care he received there.

Those left to cherish precious memories are his dear wife Emily; nine children: Shirley and Lee Baerg, Brandon, MB; Galin and Karen, Ste. Anne, MB; Donna and George Goossen, Keewatin, ON; Robert and Nina, Steinbach, MB; Bonnie and David Goossen, Ste. Anne, MB; Cheryl and Calvin Boese, Spiritwood, SK; Rod and Crystal, Ste. Anne, MB; Jeanette and Darrel Goossen, Kelwood, MB; Barry and Margie, Ste. Anne, MB; 51 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Brothers and sisters, Leonard and Irma, Whitemouth, MB; Herbert Reimer, Cartwright, MB, Leona and Alvin Penner, Cartwright, MB; Harold and Lydia, Cartwright, MB; Lavina and Denver Wiebe, Bredenbury, SK; Jonas Giesbrecht, Hillsboro, KS; Wilmer and Carol, Ste. Anne, MB.

His wife’s family: Marina Rempel, Rosenort, MB; Rennie and Eileen Wiebe, Ste. Anne, MB; Bernice and Byrnie Isaac, Rosenort, MB; Harry and Zelma Wiebe, Centreville, NB; Rose and Ron Giesbrecht, Ste. Anne, MB; Lorna and Jerome Koehn, Swan River, MB.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, two sisters and Corey Friesen.

The viewing will take place on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 W, Steinbach, MB.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Greenland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Greenland, MB, with the burial to follow at the church cemetery.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Mar 23, 2016