Dueck, Maria Wiebe (1910-1991)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald' obituary: 1991 Apr 5 p. 27

Birth date: 1910

text of obituary:

MARIA DUECK

Maria Dueck of Winnipeg passed away Mar. 8. She was born June 20, 1910 to Jacob and Katharina Wiebe. Her father was decapitated and their house burned by Machno's raiders. She accepted Christ at an early age during evangelistic meetings. She was baptized a few years later and joined the Mennonite Church. She loved to sing. In 1933 she married Johann Dueck. She had 1 child from a previous marriage, he had 2 and 2 more were born to them. In 1943 they fled to Poland by wagon. Johann was drafted into the German army Jan. 11, 1945 and never seen again. They fled again and during the night she renewed her relationship to Christ. Eventually they reached Berlin and later sailed to the Chaco, Paraguay. On Apr. 10, 1948 they moved into a house built for them in Gnadental. She spent many months in hospital. She was rebaptized and joined the MB Church. In 1958 they moved to the city and in 1960 immigrated to Winnipeg. She enjoyed the fellowship of Elmwood MB Church for several years and later joined North Kildonan MB Church. She was active in the ladies' fellowship and enjoyed working with others in the kitchen. She courageously fought diabetes, rheumatism and cancer. Predeceased by her husband, 3 brothers and 4 sisters, she is mourned by her children Anna Wilhelm of Germany, John of Kelowna, B.C., Elvira Klassen of Winnipeg, Helen Unruh of Kelowna and Willy of Winnipeg; 23 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters. The funeral was Mar. 12 in North Kildonan MB Church, with John B. Epp and William Neufeld ministering.