David F. Dueck (Dad) was born on a farm near Rosenort, MB on October 10, 1923, the youngest of 13 children born to John and Aganetha Dueck. He gave his life to Christ at age 15 and was baptized on September 8, 1940 at the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. That was the beginning of a lifetime of service to God. In the fall of 1947, Dad enrolled at the Steinbach Bible Institute. During his second year of Bible School, Dad met and fell in love with Lydia Kroeker. After a brief courtship they were married on August 28, 1949. In 1952, Dad be3gan a 13 year career as a school teacher. Because of Dad’s desire to reach the lost for Christ, teaching was an opportunity to go to communities that had no Christian ministry. It didn’t take long for Dad to start a Sunday School in these communities. He loved telling stories and he made the Bible stories come alive for the children who attended Sunday School. In 1965, Dad knew that God was calling him to be in full-time ministry. His first church in that capacity was the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Swift Current where he was instrumental in building a new church. In 1972, Dad & Mom moved to Calgary to begin a church plant for the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. He was there for seven years, and during that time many people gave their lives to Christ because of his friendship and genuine Christian testimony. In 1979, they moved to Steinbach for a short sabbatical, and then were asked to move to Kamsack, SK to see if they could bring healing to a difficult situation. After being there 2 years, Dad & Mom moved to Saskatoon where Dad worked at Palm Dairies and then at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. In his heart, Dad really wanted to be ministering to people about their relationship with Christ, so in 1982, he started a Bible Study and in 1983 began holding services in a school. Then in 1985, Dad gave the work of the church over to another couple so he could begin work as a chaplain in the Correctional Centre. This work really suited Dad’s shepherd heart as he ministered to inmates, ran errands for them, and gave them the gift of his friendship. On December 15, 1988, Mom died of lung cancer, and Dad was very lonely until he met Gertrude Martens. They were married on April 21, 1990. In January 1990, Dad had taken a pastorate in Peace River, AB, and together Dad & Gertie ministered there until June 1991, when Dad officially retired. It was at then that they moved to Swift Current. There Dad became active in the Evangelical Mennonite Church, leading care groups and visiting in homes, the hospital and nursing homes. Dad & Gertie were also active in the seniors’ group called Barnabas Group and bowling on Mondays. In 2002, Dad was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to begin dialysis. He also began showing signs of senile dementia, and in time it became too difficult for Gertie to look after him at home. In January 2007, he was able to move into the Pioneer Lodge where he received excellent care until his going to be with the Lord on December 5, 2008. We want to thank Gertie for being a loving and caring wife to Dad for over 18 years, being the friend and companion he needed, and faithfully loving and caring for him during his dialysis and loss of memory. David Dueck is survived by his wife, Gertrude Dueck; two daughters, Twylla (Bob) Sutton of Saskatoon, SK and Laural Ann (Jeff) Plett of Fort Francis, ON; three sons, Quintin (Lorraine) Dueck of St. Walburg, SK, Clare (Lynn) Dueck of Edmonton, AB, and Tim (Judy) Dueck of Calgary, AB; 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Henry (Annie) Dueck of Winnipeg, MB; Gertie’s 4 step-children and their spouses, children, and grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, John & Aganetha Dueck; his first wife, Lydia Dueck; a grandson, Darcy Dueck; and by 11 brothers and sisters. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 2:00 pm from the Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Randall Krahn officiating. The pianist for the service was Faith Krahn. Scripture was read from Revelations 21:3, 4 and Revelations 7:16, 17. “My Jesus I Love Thee” and “The Lord’s My Shepherd” were sung by the congregation under the direction of Bryon Bezanson. The eulogy was brought by Twylla Sutton. Tributes were shared by all the Dueck children as well as by Tara Patton on behalf of the Dueck Grandchildren and by Marlene Friesen on behalf of the Martens Grandchildren. Special music was provided by Lorraine Dyck & Marlene Friesen singing, “What A Day That Will Be”. The ushers in the church were Jacob & Mary Driedger, Ken Dyck and Ernest Froese. Honorary pallbearers were Joshua Dueck, Stephen Dueck, Aaron Dueck, Jonathan Dueck, Kevin Plett, Ryan Clothier and Devin Martens. The Interment Service was held on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Stuart Sutton, Bradley Dueck, Matthew Dueck, Dion Dueck, Christopher Plett and Kevin Banman. In memory of David Dueck, donations made to the Kidney Foundation of Saskatchewan would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.