Ruth Dueck

Ruth’s family wishes to announce that their beloved sister Ruth entered the presence of the Lord on October 19, 2025. She was born on May 12, 1951, the second oldest of 10 children born to David and Katherine Dueck. She was predeceased by her parents as well as by her oldest brother John and younger sister Janice and also a sister-in-law Luella.

Ruth is survived by five brothers and their wives: Allan & Eva, Carl & Bertha, Peter & Rose, Thomas & Lucy, and Larry & Esther; two sisters and their husbands: Marlene & Bert and Alvina & Don, and their families. She has many nephews and nieces as well.

Ruth recognized her need for a Savior when she was 10 years old and gave her life to the Lord. Later, when she was 17, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith in the Kleefeld EMC. Ruths parents loved hosting missionaries for meals and visits. Two of those visitors over the years were Marth and Ann Classen from Meade, Kansas, who were special friends of our mother. They had been classmates in Meade when Mom was growing up. God used Martha and Ann Classen to ignite a flame of desire to be a missionary in Japan. Ruth was enthralled by the Japanese songs they taught us and some basic vocabulary they shared with her.

God continued to nurture and feed that desire to serve Him in Japan. Her interest in serving in Japan did not fade but was heightened, especially after reading “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret.” After working in insurance for a year after high school, she decided to attend Millar College of the Bible in Pambrun, Saskatchewan. After three years of study, she graduated in March of 1974 and left for Asia three months later on June 21, 1974. After gaining a greater understanding of OMF and Southeast Asia in general at the Orientation School in Singapore, she moved on to Japan.

God gave Ruth a special aptitude for learning the Japanese language and, after taking a 10 week course in the language, she was able to become a receptionist in the office.

Ruth’s main ministry in Japan was church planting, although the Lord gave her many other opportunities to serve as well. She was involved in starting a Christian kindergarten as well as teaching in a national university and serving as assistant housemother for missionary children.

The majority of her ministry time she was involved in starting six new church plants together with Japanese leadership and some fellow missionaries (Kuroishi, Kita Hiroshima, Otaru, Eniwa, Grace Church, and Midori Ga Oka Church). This last church asked her to help in a pastoral role and she ended up serving there for 24 years. She was well accepted by the other Japanese pastors. During her final two years in Japan, she was also asked to serve for a year as director of OMF’s ministry in Hokkaido, working with 60 other missionaries as well as her church ministry.

Recently, one of the believers wrote to her and thanked her for giving herself for Japan and for their local church. Ruth served the Lord for 47 years in Japan. God led her and provided for her and showed His faithfulness to her. He alone is worthy of all praise and glory.

The family would like to thank those who ministered to Ruth in the hospital: thanks to Kim, the palliative care nurse, and Dr. Reimer as well as the wonderful nurses and health care aides on the palliative care team. You were all amazing.

Thanks also to the chaplain Lydia Summerville-Dueck who sang some favorite hymns for her and prayed with Ruth.

The Celebration of Ruth's life will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Winnipeg Evangelical Free Church, 500 Lagimodiere Boulevard. Cremation has taken place.

P.S. If you would like to read more of Ruth’s story, her book is available for a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds will flow to OMF and the Winnipeg E Free Church.