Gertrude Dueck - Mom, age 86 years, 9 months, and 10 days, peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour early on Wednesday morning, January, 22, 2014, at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK.
Mom was born on April 12, 1927, on the family farm in Rosenort, SK, the seventh of sixteen children. She attended Iris School where she completed her Grade 8. Later on, in her 30's, she completed 3 years of Bible School at the Swift Current Bible Institute. She found it difficult to fit in with all the other students, being that they were so much younger than her, but she persevered. From there, she went on to become an assistant cook at the Steinbach Bible Institute, and after that she worked as a housekeeper/babysitter for various people. One of the families she looked after for several years was Dr. Hare's, where she was considered, "one of the family". Later she also worked at the Palliser Care Centre on the housekeeping staff.
In December 1966, she married Jacob Martens, a widower, and became the stepmother of a family of four children, one son-in-law and a granddaughter. This was pretty overwhelming, to say the least, but over time she adjusted and worked side by side with her husband on the farm for 20 years, until he passed away on April 25, 1987.
In April 1990, she married Dave Dueck, also a widower, and became the stepmother of five more children. Mom and Dave enjoyed many good years together until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and was placed in the Prairie View Lodge, where he passed away on December 5, 2008.
Mom's hands were never idle, whether she was making a meal for guests, crocheting an afghan, or getting together with a group of ladies to make noodles, she liked to stay busy as long as her health allowed. Even after her health started to fail, she enjoyed getting together with her friends or family to go out for a meal or just coffee, quite often as the role of chauffeur. Her house was always open to relatives or friends who were just passing through and needing a comfy place to sleep. She loved to read. There was always a devotional book and her bible within reach, and an inspirational novel as well. She especially enjoyed reading anything about or by Billy Graham, and rarely missed the Gaither Gospel Hour on Friday nights. She was an amazing "prayer warrior". Many times she would tell us that when Dave was still alive, they would pray every night for ALL the grandchildren, mentioning them all by name.
Mom will be sadly missed by her Martens step-children: Marge [Ben], Jake [Sheila], Bill [Brenda]; and step- son-in-law, Keith; Dueck step-children: Twylla [Bob], Laurel Ann [Jeff], Quinton [Lorraine], Clare [Lynn], and Tim [Judy]; 33 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters: Elsie Penner, Tina Froese, Lena Neufeld, Sally [Peter] Dueck; her brothers: Herman [Helen] Neufeld, Jim [Chris] Neufeld; and sisters-in-law: Susan Neufeld and Margaret Neufeld.
She was predeceased by her parents, Abram and Sarah Neufeld; three sisters; six brothers; her first husband Jake Martens and her second husband Dave Dueck; stepdaughter Sadie Clothier; and great-granddaughter Kortni Adam.
The Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 27, 2014, at 2:00 pm from the East Side Church of God, Swift Current, SK, with Pastor Bryon Bezanson officiating. Special music was brought by Marlene Friesen and Lorraine Dyck singing “Untitled Hymn/Come to Jesus”. “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” and “In the Garden” were sung under the direction of Gordon Klassen and by Trudy Olfert as the pianist. The eulogy was presented by Dustin Resch and tributes were shared by family members on behalf of the Martens, Dueck and Neufeld families. The ushers in the church were Jerry Reimer, Jim Appleyard, George Friesen and Dustin Resch. The Interment Service was held at the Mount Pleasant Burial Park, Swift Current, SK with the following grandchildren serving as pallbearers: Kevin Banman, Karen Campbell, Ryan Clothier, Tammy Krahn, Koreen Nelson and Devin Martens. In memory of Gertrude Dueck, donations made to Gideons International would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to sign the Family Book of Condolences, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com.