Duerksen, Velda Richert (1915-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 May 12 p. 9

Birth date: 1915 Oct 1

text of obituary:

VELDA DUERKSEN

Velda Duerksen, 92, of Goessel, Kan., died April 22, 2008, at Bethesda Home. She was born Oct. 1, 1915, to Peter C. and Maria (Schroeder) Richert in Marion County.

She grew up on the family farm along Highway 15 and was privileged to spend much of her adult life there. She attended Hochfield Elementary School, Goessel High School and Bethel College. She was baptized on June 4, 1933, and became a member of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church.

She married A. Adolph Duerksen on April 16, 1942. They enjoyed 50 years of marriage, then he preceded her in death on Nov. 2, 1992.

She was a church secretary for 18 years. She spent much of her adult life pursuing her interests in church history and German translation.

Survivors include three daughters, Lois Loeppky and her husband, Otto, of Steinbach, Man., Barbara Duerksen and her husband, Steve Goering, of Richland Center, Wis., and Julia Duerksen and her husband, Allan Smith, of San Francisco; a son, Richard Duerksen and his wife, Sheryl, of Perkasie, Pa.; a sister, Jeanette Voth of Goessel; five grandchildren and a great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Marna Mildred Richert in infancy, Alice Richert and Irma Duerksen; a brother, Orie Richert; and a step-granddaughter, Cathie Smith.

Memorial services were held at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church of rural Goessel. Burial was in the church cemetery.