Duerksen, Vernon R. (1928-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Aug 20 p. 3

Birth date: 1928 Feb 29

text of obituary:

Minister Dies After Move to Oklahoma

Corn, Okla. — Rev. Vernon Duerksen, 42, who had recently moved here to his home community to accept a teaching assignment at the Corn Bible Academy, died at an Oklahoma City hospital on Aug. 11.

Rev. Duerksen had been hospitalized in early July because of excessive pressure of blood at the base of the brain. However, he improved and was released to his home. Recently he suffered another attack and was re-admitted to the hospital. Death was attributed to a combination stroke and brain hemorrhage.

Rev. Duerksen had served as pastor at Siloam Springs, Ark. and of the Silver Lake M. B. Church near Marion, S. D. He and his family moved here from South Dakota early this summer.

Funeral services were conducted at the Corn M. B. Church on Aug. 14.

Survivors include his widow, Mable [sic Mabel], and children Sharon, Tim, Johnny and Debbie of the home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Leppke of Corn; and parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Vogt of Cordell.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Aug 27 p. 6

text of obituary:

. . .

CORN, OKLAHOMA

August 14, 1970

. . .

We all are saddened by the death of Rev. Vernon Duerksen who passed away Aug. 11. The funeral services were held Aug. 14. Rev. Duerksen was born and raised in the corn community. he felt called of the Lord for full time service and pastored churches in Siloam springs, Ark., in California and at Marion, S. D. This summer the family had moved back to Corn to the home in which he was raised. he had planned to begin teaching at Corn Bible Academy this fall. Rev. Duerksen will be greatly missed and the work he had done for the Lord will need to be taken up by someone else. Out-of-town mourners included a quartet from the church he had pastored in South Dakota. — Corney J. Adrian.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Sep 3 p. 11

text of obituary:

REV. VERNON R. DUERKSEN

Rev. Vernon R. Duerksen, our beloved husband and father, was born on Feb. 29, 1928 in Corn, Okla., the son of Jacob H. and Marie Leppke Duerksen [sic Maria Reimer Duerksen]. His early training and education in the Corn area prepared him for his call from God to Christian service. In his junior year in high school, he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and upon his confession of faith was received into the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church in 1945.

On March 28, 1948, he was married to Mable [sic Mabel] Vogt. Together they dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord. This union of 22 years was blessed with four childfren, Sharon, Tim, John and Deb. Feeling God's call, he began his education at the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas, and then transferred to Pacific Bible Institue in Fresno, Calif. where he graduated with an A.B. degree in 1954.

After graduation, he accepted the challenge to begin work in Siloam Springs, Ark. and attended John Brown University. The church placed their confidence in him and he was ordained to the ministry in the Corn M. B. Church on Dec. 30, 1956. The Lord graciously led, a sanctuary was dedicated in 1957 and Vernon found the challenge of church organization and education to be his joy and delight.

In 1958, he accepted the call of the Little Country Church of Navelencia near Reedley, Calif. where the Lord gave an increase and new classrooms were dedicated to His service. He continued his education at the Mennonite Biblical Seminary and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1965.

In July 1965 he began to serve the Silver Lake Mennonite Brethren Church until moving to Corn in May 1970. We greatly cherish our memories of him. Even in adverse circumstances, Vernon was patient, kind and loving.

Vernon was eagerly looking forward to teaching Bible in the Corn Bible Academy this coming year. In June, he enrolled in Southwestern State College at Weatherford, Okla. to meet the requirements for teaching. After having severe headaches, he entered the Oklahoma General Hospital in Clinton on July 2, 1970. On July 6 he was transferred to St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City where he suffered a near fatal attack on July 9, 1970, but with the help of neuro-specialists, he was able to return home for a few weeks. God lent us a husband and father for another month and for his last days, he patiently accepted his physical handicaps without complaint.

On Sunday, Aug. 9, he suffered his second attack, after which he never regained consciousness. On Aug. 11 in the St. Anthony Hospital, he peacefully went to his Heavenly Home. An autopsy revealed a malignant tumor at the base of the brain. It was the type that could not be cured or removed.

Vernon reached the age of 42 years, 5 months, and 13 days. His father, Jacob H. Duerksen, and a sister, Ruth Ella, preceded him in death. Mourning his death are loving wife, Mable [sic Mabel]; two daughters, Sharon of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Debbie; two sons, Jim and John; his mother Mrs. H. W. Leppke; two brothers, Erwin and Bob of Oklahoma City.

We mourn not as those who have no hope but look forward in faith to the time when we shall meet father before the throne of God. — The Family.