Obituary: Henry Dueck

Henry Dueck, 1934 – 2025

Henry Dueck, aged 91, passed away at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB., on May 15, 2025, after a short stay in the hospital.

Mourning his passing are his wife Marie, children Robert (Linda) and Julia (Todd), and grandchildren Amanda, Megan and Matthew (Brenna). He is also survived by one sister, three brothers-in law and one sister-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Aganetha Dueck, four brothers, six sisters, six brothers-in-law and seven sisters-in-law.

Henry grew up on a farm in the Rose Farm district in southern Manitoba, the youngest of twelve siblings, including two who died in infancy. After completing grade 8 he lived at home for a couple of years before continuing his education at Steinbach Christian School, CMBC, and the University of Manitoba. Henry and Marie were married in 1961 and then moved to Elkhart Indiana where he attended AMBS, graduating in 1964 with a Master of Divinity.

Henry was brought up in his faith by parents who valued the gifts of the spirit from Galatians 5, and this was evident all through his life. He was baptized in June 1952 at the Rudnerweide church in Rose Farm. Theology, history and following current events were interests throughout his life.

After graduating from AMBS Henry became the teaching principal at Elim Bible School in Altona. During this time Robert and Julia joined the family. In 1971 the family moved to Winnipeg where Henry and Marie became the houseparents for Grosvenor Place for two years and then he served as the director of the program for five years. 1978 brought a move to Belize to pastor the EMMC church in Blue Creek for two years. After returning to Winnipeg Henry worked at Gospel Mennonite Church (now Nassau Street Church) for a time and then became the editor of the EMMC Recorder and Executive Secretary of the EMM Conference. He and Marie also owned the Fellowship Bookcentre on Portage Avenue for ten years during this period.

With retirement from the EMMC in 1997 Henry found many opportunities to continue to serve people. He volunteered at a food bank, babysat children for the MOMs program, fixed furniture at the MCC Furniture store, was the handyman for disabled people living in an apartment building in downtown Winnipeg, spent time with his own grandchildren, helped people in need that came into his life, gardened, read, and took many pictures. He also spent many hours supporting two of his older siblings as they encountered their own challenges in aging.

Not long after retirement Henry had quintuple bypass surgery. In his later years other health issues developed, complicating his life, but they never stopped him from living life the way he wanted. He enjoyed life to the end and always had a positive attitude. One friend said he was “a sweet gentle man, trusting God and loving people”.

The funeral service was held May 23, 2025 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, MB.

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Reflection

By Jack Heppner, former Recorder editor and EMMC Conference Pastor

Henry was an amazing man. He understood our EMMC history and he was always asking hard questions about where we were going as a conference, and what that might mean. Not only was he my Bible School teacher, he was a life-long mentor, right to the end, especially in the last 20 years or so. I will miss the half hour calls discussing the most recent books we had been reading. Just a few months before his passing he challenged me to read the latest book by J. Denney Weaver about how one's understanding of faith and life changes over a lifetime. He was a learner right to the end.