Dennis Dale Duerksen of Haysville, Kansas passed away 16 February 2025. He was born 1 December 1946, in Corn, Oklahoma. The proud parents were Elliott Laverne Duerksen and Pairlee Delana Gray Duerksen.
Dennis was a farm boy growing up in Corn, Oklahoma, Wichita, Kansas and Valley Center, Kansas. Dennis quit high school and joined the Navy in 1964. He got his GED while he was in the Navy. He was stationed on USS America as an IC 3. After the Navy, Dennis was employed at Boeing Wichita. In 1968, he was in a group of employees that transferred from Wichita, Kansas to Everett, Washington. He met Brenda while clam digging with their parents. They would both say it wasn’t love at first sight but, continued seeing each other. They married 20 June 1969. They lived in Everett and Arlington, Washington.
After the birth of their second child, they moved back to Wichita. Dennis worked for electrical contractors as a master electrician. He eventually returned to Boeing/Spirit retiring from Spirit in 2016. In his spare time he liked to square dance, camp, build wood furniture, team penning, and bowling. Dennis was a great husband and father that will be dearly missed and never forgotten. He loved all of his kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren, he was always willing to help anyone at any given time when someone was in need and was always there for everyone from helping fixing their vehicle to just listening and talking.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ronnie Ellison Duerksen.
He leaves behind his wife, Brenda Duerksen of 55 years. Daughters, Dawn C. Duerksen Riggle, Lona N. Duerksen (Taylor), and Tianna M. Duerksen. Sons, Dennis Jr, Cody Lane Duerksen (Emily), Cordell J. Duerksen, and Michael N. Duerksen. Grandchildren, Kendra M. Duerksen, Douglas D. Duerksen (Trinisty), Alison H. Imler (Bill), Colton E. Gentry (Karina), Cade M. Gentry (Alize), Averie Duerksen, Carter Duerksen, Sage Duerksen, Asher Duerksen and Westyn Snyder. Step-Grandchildren Brantley, Charley and Delilah and 12 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held at Resthaven Mortuary on 25 February 2025 at 3:00 PM. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior at 2 PM at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas, 67209.
Serving as pallbearers are Cody Duerksen, Colton Gentry, Cade Gentry, Cordell Duerksen, Kyle Beavers, Kale Beavers, Curtis Emberson, Doug Duerksen and Taylor Snyder.