Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me... Psalm 23:4 Linda Dueck, nee Friesen, passed away at the Gimli Betel Home on Friday, November 21, 2008, at the age of 79. She is lovingly remembered by her family – husband Leonard Dueck of Riverton, MB, Rod and Sharon Dueck of Rosenort and children Jaimee and husband Jeremy and baby Isaac, Jordan and wife Ashleigh, Kelsey and fiancé Chad; Terry and Eloa Dueck of Riverton and children Eric and wife Lindsey, Sean and Kelly Ann; Bryan and Kathleen Dueck of Riverton and children Jensen, Colton and Madison; Connie and Don Harms of Chilliwack, BC and children Trenton and Cassidy; Cheryl and Corey Kovacs of Riverton and children Chantal and husband Dahlen, Michael, Dallas, Brooklyn and Keanna; and Cameron Dueck of Hong Kong. She is also survived by two sisters and two brothers. Linda was predeceased by one son, Leroy, in 1978. Linda was born on December 26, 1928, in Morris, MB, to Henry and Marie Friesen. She attended school through Grade 8 at Clover Plains School. Linda chose to live her life for Christ as a young woman, and was baptised at the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church in 1946, at the age of 18. Linda loved children, and helped her parents provide foster care for many children before starting her own family. She also worked at the Rosenort Co-op as a young woman. Linda grew up with the man she’d end up sharing her life with, and she and Leonard were married on June 8, 1952 in Rosenort. They chose to move north, and this was the start of a grand adventure that would define their farming life and the way they raised their family. They moved to Washow Bay, in Manitoba’s Interlake, where they pioneered and helped found the community now known as Mennville. They shared the difficulties and hardships of pioneer life with Betty and Delmer Kornelsen, Linda’s sister and her husband. Linda’s first child was born in 1954. Over the next 20 years she would bring six more children into the world while playing an important role in the community as a deacon’s wife and a support to her husband on the farm. In the late 1970’s she and Leonard helped found the MCC Riverton Thrift Shop, and Linda spent many volunteer hours serving at the store. In 1978, she suffered a heart-breaking loss when her second son, Leroy, passed away accidentally. However, it was Linda’s faith and the support of the community that carried her through this tragedy, and continued to give her strength throughout her life. Though quiet and shy of public roles, she became a pillar of the community and family through a life of prayer and Christian service. The same love of adventure that prompted her to follow Leonard into the Canadian wilderness led them to travel globally as they spent winters volunteering and sightseeing. They gained friends from South and Central America to Haiti as they combined adventure with their desire to support missions. They also travelled to Europe and the Middle East and logged many a mile across Canada and the US in their camper. Linda loved working outdoors, always choosing garden chores over indoor work if possible, while still running a tidy and nurturing home. Spending time around a campfire with her family was one of her favourite activities, and she continued to make the effort to get outdoors until recently. Though never an accomplished singer, Linda’s children will always remember her whistling and singing hymns in the home and garden throughout her day of work. Linda was diagnosed with cancer in 1985, and she bravely fought the disease for the rest of her life. In later years she carried the added burden of a neurological disease that left her immobile and unable to communicate. It eventually claimed her life. Linda Dueck passed away on November 21, 2008 at the Gimli Betel Home. Viewing will be held Thursday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Her memorial service will be held at the Riverton Recreational Centre on Friday, November 28, 2:00 p.m. with viewing prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Mennville Evangelical Mennonite Church Cemetery. We are assured she is with the Saviour she loved as she awaits our reunion. The family thanks their friends and community for their love and support expressed in gifts of food and prayer. They also are deeply grateful to the staff at Gimli Betel home for the loving and professional care they gave to Mother.