Leona Marie Duerksen

Went Home with the Lord November 3, 2011

r own was the way she wanted to be.

I don’t think that there is anyone out there that would have a bad comment about Leona. Dealing with cancer and being sick for over 16 years she was still her unselfish self. But there is one thing that did not change and I think everyone would agree on what it is: Her Stubbornness… It will be missed but she did teach us all and passed the stubbornness down to the rest of us.

My Grandma will always hold a special light inLeona Marie Schroeder was born on September 6, 1926, the third child of Peter and Martha Schroeder in Inman, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, two of her brothers, Dan and Leonard Schroeder, a sister Elizabeth Bartel, her middle son, Virgil Duerksen, her oldest grandson, LeRoy Duerksen Jr., a great grandson, Nathan Taylor and a great granddaughter Kaylani Duerksen. She leaves behind but not forgotten her soulmate Victor Duerksen, her children, LeRoy and Mary Duerksen, Gary Duerksen, and Tommy and Laurie Jean, her grandchildren, Tammy and Steve Burrola, Staci and James Shannon, Dennis Duerksen, Casey Sanders, Travis Duerksen, Chyla Duerksen, Cory and Bryan Jean, and LeeAnn Gonzales. Her Great Grand Children: Mitchell and Shawn Taylor, Tristan, Austin, Cheyanne, Cody, and Hailie Shannon, Devan Duerksen, and Aurora Gonzales and Burrola. Also her sister Linda & Allen Wiebe, and two brothers Lloyd & Donna Schroeder and Joel & Connie Schroeder.

Leona and Victor celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 15, 2011. She believed in the Lord and faithfully went to church when she was able to go. Having raised two sets of kids, her own children and her grandchildren she instilled in all of us what a Mother’s Love was. She was the picture of a strong woman who took care of situations at home and how a real family was supposed to be. We sat down for dinner almost every night and ate as a family. Sundays were when we went to church and after church we would gather around the table for Sunday Dinner. I am thankful for being able to have her raise me to the person that I am today.

We all have our own stories that will stay in Our Hearts and embedded in Our Memories Forever. She was never cruel to someone new that she met. She never passed judgment on someone who looked or was maybe less fortunate than we were. She would always lend a helping hand to anyone that would ask. That is what made Her, Her. Wanting to do for everyone else and putting everyone elses needs before he my Heart. I will miss her dearly, but I am happy that she is Home with the Lord and watching down on all of us and waiting for us ALL to be reunited again with her.

I Love You Grandma and this is not Good Bye, it is See You Later…

Viewing will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. A Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:00 am.