Lydia Duerksen

January 11, 1921

A dear and precious mother, died peacefully on Friday, April 13, 2012 at Serenity House from lung cancer. Lydia was the 7th of 12 children born to Phillip and Anna Michael, poor Russian immigrants who were brought to this country at the turn of the century by C & H Sugar to work as migrant farmers in the beet fields.

Lydia and George Duerksen were married in 1944 and settled down in Alliance, Nebraska where they adopted two children. Lydia moved to Santa Barbara in 1991 to be near her daughter, Debbie, and helped her start a new little business: Debbie’s Delights wholesale bakery. Lydia will always be remembered by all who knew her as “feisty”. She was small, but what a strong spirit and good heart! She was always a hard worker who would never let you down.

Lydia was preceded in death by her son, Larry, in 1979, and by all of her 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter Debbie Saucedo, son-in-law Alex Saucedo, her ex-husband George Duerksen (now 95), family members Vangie Herrera and Al Anglin, and many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to Dr. Frawley, Visiting Nurses and Hospice and especially to Serenity House and all their loving, kind staff. Our family is eternally grateful to you all!!

Lydia lived her last 10 years at Garden Court, 1116 De La Vina, in Santa Barbara where a Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. If desired, donations may be made to the Garden Court Endowment or to Serenity House.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.