Dueck, Henry

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Dec 22 p. 35

Birth date: 1901 Feb 23

text of obituary:

HENRY G. DUECK

Henry G. Dueck of Sardis, B.C. passed away November 4. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Dueck on February 23 , 1901 in Alexanderpol, south Russia. During his happy childhood years, his parents dedicated him to the Lord's service. After his family moved to the Molotschna settlement he attended the Gnadenfeld "Central" school. He was saved at the age of 10 through the ministry of Frank Wiens, an early missionary to China, and later rededicated his life during tent-style meetings of evangelist Jakob Dick. He was baptized August 1, 1919 and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. He began immediately to assist in Sunday school work. He then attended the Tschangrau Bible School in the Crimea for three years. During his final year he was drafted into military training, where he was persecuted for living out his convictions. Finally, through a "People's Court", he received a discharge. He was married to Justina Harder on July 8, 1924, in aceremony officiated by Jacob W. Reimer. He worked to procure passports for a group of 45 people, and in November, 1924 they emigrated to Mexico. A son, William, was born in Mexico, and the family moved to Canada, arriving in Manitoba in 1926. They moved to B.C., settling on a farm near Sardis in April, 1930.

In Sardis Dueck began a long period of service with the church, which organized in 1931. He was chosen its first leader, and was ordained in 1935. He led the congregation until 1952, but continued a preaching ministry until 1972.

The family rejoices in the memory of his victorious faith and devoted service to God. He is survived by his wife Justina; two sons, William and Tina, John and Frieda; nine grandchildren and three of their spouses; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, three sisters and one brother-in-law.