Marilyn Duerksen, 93
Marilyn Duerksen, 93, of Freeman, S.D., passed away on May 2 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 8th, at Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman, with a time of lunch and fellowship to follow.
Remembering Marilyn Duerksen
Marilyn Duerksen was born March 16, 1932, the daughter of Mike G. and Ida (Walter) Wollman at Freeman, South Dakota, and entered into eternal fellowship with God on May 2, 2025.
Her Christian home, church and schools were the main formative influences in her life.
After completing her elementary education, at Mutschelknaus School Dist. #68, she attended Freeman Academy graduating in 1950; Freeman Junior College and Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Neb. With an early exposure to music in her family and church, she valued the opportunity of having been a member of several college choral groups and smaller ensembles.
Responding to the example and teaching of a Christian home and the evangelistic ministry of Rev. Eli L. Hofer, her spiritual pilgrimage began June 5, 1949, finding her position in Christ as promised in I Peter 1:23, “Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever.” To mark her inseparable union with Christ in His death and resurrection, she was baptized Sept. 4, 1949, by Pastor David W. Tschetter and joined the fellowship of Salem MB Church.
June 18, 1953, she and Vernon Duerksen were united in the bonds of marriage, establishing their home in Omaha, and later Winona Lake, Ind., where Vernon completed his seminary training. They were granted the privilege and honor of parenthood through the birth of daughter Kimberly Kae.
From 1957 to 1971, she was a part of her husband’s diversified ministry as he served as field representative, alumni secretary and later school evangelist for then renamed Grace College of the Bible.
She served several years on the staff of the Campus Information Desk as telephone operator, mail sorting and delivering (a favorite time for students) and as a center for information available to students and campus visitors.
In the new life she was forced to make following his accidental death in 1971, the school of grief convinced her that the grieving process cannot be abbreviated — but that God is pleased by a life of faith that clings to his promises, that sees the unseen and that perseveres to the end. During this unexpected transition, raising and nurturing her cherished daughter brought purpose and reinforcement to her life.
Serving on the Freeman Courier staff for 25 years, plus a 22-year tenure in the dietary department of Freeman Regional Health Services, yielded a very rewarding, learning dimension to her life, as well as new friendships, goals and fulfillment.
Throughout her adult life, she planted, experimented, and enjoyed the abundant, assorted vegetables and colorful flower displays which made gardening worthwhile.
She was preceded by her parents, Mike and Ida Wollman; husband Vernon Duerksen; brother-in-law Dave Wollman and sister Celia Wollman.
Surviving her are daughter Kimberly and husband Dwayne Marvin, Lincoln, Neb.; nephew Charles Wollman, Freeman; numerous family cousins and many acquaintances made through Vernon’s ministry in the USA and several Canadian provinces.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
