View source for Dueck, Peter R. (1862-1919)

Peter R. Dueck, bishop ([[Elder (Ältester)|Ältester]]) of the [[Kleine Gemeinde|Kleine Gemeinde]], was born in South [[Russia|Russia]] on 17 August 1862. He was the second of ten children born to Jacob Dueck (1839-1893) and Maria Rempel (1841-1917). At the age of 12 he immigrated with his family to [[Canada|Canada]]. They arrived in Quebec City on 18 June 1875 and from there traveled west to settle in Grünfeld, Manitoba. Peter was baptized in [[Kleefeld|Kleefeld]], and then married [[Dueck, Sara Kroeker (1871-1951)|Sarah Plett Kroeker]] (1871-1951) in 1888. Together they had 10 children, 4 sons and 6 daughters, who they raised on their farm near Steinbach. The Kleine Gemeinde elected Peter to the ministry in 1900 and with unusual speed made him bishop the following year by a 60% majority. Peter R. Dueck served the church faithfully until his sudden death on 7 January 1919.

Peter R. Dueck was a gentle man with a generous nature. He was called on to give leadership in a time of rapid social change, much of which he probably did not understand. Nevertheless Peter accepted the call to pastor and faithfully attempted to foster within the community a spirit of "humility and love" rather than "arrogance and self-centredness." He was suspicious of business, cars and public schools and saw the city as a dangerous place for young people. It is not difficult to understand why Peter came into conflict with proponents of modernization and progress. He is remembered by those he served as "an envisioned, loving, determined leader who gave himself to his people and to the work of God. And, most importantly, he passed on the faith."
= Bibliography =
Loewen, Royden K. "Challenges of Peter R. Dueck, 1862-1919." <em class="gameo_bibliography">Preservings </em>No. 9, Part II (December 1996): 29-30.
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