Peter J. Duerksen
Born: May 9, 1863
Place: Gnadenthal, South Russia
Died: April 12, 1940
Place: Hillsboro, Kansas
MOTHER:
Aganetha Balzer
FATHER:
Johann Duerksen
SIBLINGS:
Maria B. Duerksen
Johann J. Duerksen
Heinrich J. Duerksen
Helena B. Duerksen
Katherina B. Duerksen
Jacob J. Duerksen (1/16/1867-1/25/1867)
Cornelius B. Duerksen
Aganetha Duerksen
Gerhard J. Duerksen
Eva B. Duerksen
Anna B. Duerksen
Susanna B. Duerksen
David B. Duerksen
SPOUSE:
Aganetha Goossen (11/18/1864 - 4/23/1918)
Married: May 24, 1891
Place: Marion County, Kansas
No children born to this marriage
Widowed: April 23, 1918
A TRIBUTE TO PETER J. and AGANETHA (GOOSSEN) DUERKSEN
Written by Nephew Gerard A. Duerksen
Not much is known about Uncle Peter. When he was married to Aganetha Goossen a farm was planned on the northeast section, south of the parental farm, but later a farm east of there was available so it was bought. They lived on this farm during their farming years. I remember the well which was located on that place.
Due to some misunderstanding in church affairs, each one belonged to a different church, Uncle Peter was re-baptized and joined the Church of God in Christ Mennonite. Aunt Aganetha, however, did not join.
They didn't have any children, but they were foster parents to the orphan children of the Dietrich Goossen relatives.
Uncle Peter suffered from a stroke and it left him with a speech impediment. He was also afflicted with diabetes. They moved to the nursing home in Hillsboro. When she died in 1918 he was moved to the Bethesda Hospital where he lived until his death in 1940.
Every spring or summer he would visit with his brothers and sisters. He pursued the hobby or whittling crochet hooks and stocking darners. He also made foot stools. He used cedar wood from fence posts or where ever he could get it. He was very friendly with children, but his flowing white beard and poor speech seemed to frighten them.
He had arranged for an annuity with the hospital for a permanent stay and the rest of his accumulation was willed to the Holdeman Church. His funeral was conducted in the Alexanderwohl Church upon the insistence of his brothers, Cornelius, Gerhard and David. He was buried in the Mennonite Brethren Cemetery in Hillsboro.
