On Thursday, October 9, 2014, peacefully and with great courage Gustav gained freedom from his battle with cancer at the age of 89, at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach. He was born on December 23, 1924, in the RM of Hanover to Peter F. and Aganetha Dueck as the 4th eldest of ten children. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers, three sisters, and one grandson.
Remaining to cherish Gustav’s memory are his loving wife and soul mate of 63 years, Betty (nee Kehler), two sisters, Anne and Mary (Bill Toews), and one brother, Henry (Dorothy), his children Deborah and Brian Schwark, Theresa and Bill Dyck, Lucille and Bob Rempel, Conrad and Kristine Dueck, his grandchildren, Cory Dyck, Nathan and Sara Dyck with Jagger and Sebastian, Garreth and Giancarla Rempel with Jackson and Charlotte, Jenessa Robinson with Isaiah, Jahel, and Darnell, Dana and Jon Warkentin, Ava Dueck and Nikola Dueck.
Gustav was baptized in 1951 and remained very involved in the church as long as his health permitted. Beyond teaching Sunday School, youth groups, and serving in various church leadership roles he still always made time for family and friends.
He had a wide range of interests including nature, history and genealogy, mathematics, and music. He was a tireless servant to the community at various levels and served several terms on the Mitchell UVD Committee. His musical interests included singing in the choir and playing the organ and the violin. His creativity was strong and he was a published author, and wrote many other unpublished works including his autobiography compiling more than a hundred pages of wonderful anecdotes of his life. Gustav’s love of nature and wildlife was demonstrated through his gardening skills and the vast vineyard he grew at his house in Mitchell.
He was a very hardworking, dedicated provider for his family, working at Derksen Printers for over 40 years and continuing beyond his retirement to provide weekly weather statistics for the Carillon newspaper. During these years, his creativity was acknowledged through a number of awards for his advertising design.
Gustav’s strength and joy was in being with people. All the visitors and messages of love and encouragement at the hospital were so important to him.
We would like to sincerely thank Drs. Kaethler and Cho, the staff at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre, the staff at the palliative care program, and the homecare workers for the excellent care they provided to both our dad and our family.
The viewing will be held Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 West, Steinbach, MB. Viewing will also be held at the chapel prior to the funeral service.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 West, Steinbach, MB, with burial to follow at Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach.
