Our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Lydia Mae Boehs Dueck, was born on February 2, 1934, to Pete and Anna Schmidt Boehs, on a farm near Fairview, Oklahoma. She peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family on April 20, 2024, at Maplewood Manor, Steinbach, MB, reaching the age of 90 years.
Lydia Mae received her education at Progressive School in Fairview, OK, and went on to complete Grade 12 at Fairview High School. Mom was the oldest of eight children and carried a lot of responsibility. She had fond memories of playing with her brothers, Leroy and Marvin.
Mom gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on February 3, 1952, by Minister Dan Smith.
While on a trip to Manitoba with a cousin, Mom met our dad, Harold Dueck. They were married on February 17, 1957, by Minister Elmer Boehs. They shared 61 years together.
After their wedding our parents pioneered at Marchand, MB for a time, before making their home in Greenland, MB. In July 1967 Dad and Mom purchased a farm near Cartwright, MB. This was home for 50 years. In 2017 Mom moved to Maplewood Manor to be with our dad, arriving on their 60th anniversary. She spent the last seven years at Maplewood.
Christian life held many challenges for mom, but we as a family are so thankful that she returned to the Lord a year ago. Many testified about her change of heart, and she had a special quietness and a glow on her face. We are in awe of God’s amazing grace. Mom taught us to work hard, and to be diligent. Mom loved to start new plants. We helped her plant two large gardens and canned lots of produce for our family. Mom was interested in people and enjoyed visiting with them. She had a heart for the unfortunate. She taught us to be kind and gentle to animals. Mom loved to read.
Dad passed away on April 13, 2018, and Mom missed him greatly.
Left to mourn her passing are her eight children: Florene and Ray Wohlgemuth, Cartwright, MB; Delbert and Marlene Dueck, Center, CO; Denise and Les Doerksen, Aylmer, ON; Rosena and Allen Doerksen, Cartwright, MB; Eugene and LeAnn Dueck, El Campo, TX; Cecil and Rose Dueck, Louisville, GA; Linford and Teresa Dueck and Jaycelyn and Sonya Dueck, Cartwright, MB; 29 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; one sister, Velma and John Friesen, Whitemouth, MB; one brother, Harvey and Loretta Boehs, Monterey, TN; sisters-in-law, Darlene Boehs, Ringwood, OK; Rose Boehs, Fairview, OK; Ruth Boehs, Hillsboro, KS; Marilyn Friesen, Honey Grove, TX; Emily Dueck and Carol Dueck, Steinbach, MB; brothers-in-law, Denver Wiebe, Bredenbury, SK; Leonard Dueck, Whitemouth, MB; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding her in death are her husband, four brothers, one sister, seven sisters-in-law, six brothers-in-law and one infant grandson.
We are forever grateful to the staff at Maplewood Manor for their compassionate love and care for our dear mother.
A viewing and visitation will be held from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the Cartwright Church of God in Christ Mennonite. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Cartwright Church of God in Christ Mennonite, followed by the interment and reception. Sharing of memories will take place on Wednesday at 2:30 pm.