Elizabeth Ann Duerksen

With heavy hearts we share that Elizabeth "Liz" Ann Duerksen passed away on June 25th, 2026.

Elizabeth “Liz” Ann Schmidt was born on January 12, 1938, in Goessel, Kansas. She grew up on a farm north of Goessel. A great memory that Liz had of her growing-up years was attending extended family picnics at Marion Park.

Liz attended Maple Hill country school in Marion County, Kansas through the 8th grade. At age 13 Liz realized that she needed to make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as her Lord and Savior.

Liz loved music! While attending Goessel High School she sang in choir. She also enjoyed being a snare drummer in band. After graduating from high school Liz volunteered for the summer with Mennonite Central Committee where she met Jerry Duerksen. After finishing their service in the Washington, DC area they married in 1958. They moved to Mankato, Minnesota where Jerry completed his Industrial Arts degree. Their daughter Christie and son Jamie were born during this time.

Jerry accepted a teaching position with Jefferson County Schools and moved his family to Arvada, Colorado in 1965. In the churches that they attended over the years Liz was always ready to join the choir. One of her most memorable singing experiences was the opportunity to sing alto in a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Liz also enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday School and helping with the AWANA program. She supplemented the family income for several years by working for Imex Medical Systems. Her true love was being a wife, mother, and homemaker and spending time gardening, reading, and sewing.

In later years Jerry would often come home after running an errand to find Liz entertaining herself by playing hymns on the piano. Teaching young children about salvation through Jesus Christ was very important to Liz. Seeing her grandchildren accept these truths was especially rewarding to her.

Liz passed from this life at home with her family around her and entered into eternal life in God’s presence on June 25, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship. (cefonline.com)