Mary Duerksen

Mary was born on Feb 5,1923 in Schoenberg, Ukraine to Abram and Helena Braun. Her family immigrated to Canada when she was six months old, and settled in the Stonewall area of Manitoba relocating to St Anne, in 1940.

She accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized in Aug 1944. On September 28, 1946, she married Jacob Duerksen and in April 1947 they moved to Greendale, BC.

Their 5 children were born in Chilliwack. Of these, Marilyn went to be with the Lord Feb 10, 1952, after a brief life on earth. From 1956 to 1959 the family lived in a logging camp at Lac La Hache, BC. and then moved back to Chilliwack.

Mary was a Homecare Worker for Chilliwack Community Services for many years, making lasting friendships with some of those she worked for and also continuing to support them throughout their lives. She was an active member of Central Community Church and spent many years together with other women sewing quilts and donating them to MCC. She loved to knit and provided slippers, dishcloths and prayer shawls to whoever needed them. She loved her family dearly and gave of her time to all of them wholeheartedly- from her children down to her great great grandchildren - and prayed for them all regularly. We will all miss her very much, but are happy that she is rejoicing with the Lord!

Predeceased by her daughter Marilyn 1952, son-in-law Ralph Klassen 1988, husband Jake 1998 and son Eric 2019. Mary is survived by her children, daughter-in-law Joanne Duerksen; son, Ernie (Deloris) Duerksen; daughters, Lenora(Vern)Enns, Linda Klassen; her grandchildren, Rod Duerksen, Corey(Shelly) Duerksen; Chad (Ramona)Duerksen, Greg (Diana)Duerksen; Janet(David)Metzger, James (Jodi)Enns, Joanne Mitton, Julia (Clayton)Edmunds, Jayne(Braden)Apperson; Brett(Jo-Ann)Klassen, Steve(Ginny)Klassen; 51 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.