Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Benita Duerkop
Benita A. Duerkop, 93, of Black River Falls, went to her Heavenly home to be with Jesus on February 13, 2016.
Benita was born on January 12, 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, daughter of Benjamin and Freda (Becker) Draeger. After graduating from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul, she worked in the invoice department of Swift and Company in South St. Paul.
One of Benita’s volunteer activities was working at the Minnesota State Fair at the Baitinger Rail O’Matic Eat sponsored by the Evangelical Church Conference. Proceeds went to the West Side General Hospital for the free bed fund. While working at the Rail O’Matic in 1940, she met another volunteer, Ivan A. Duerkop from Fairchild, Wisconsin. They were married on June 8, 1944 at the First Evangelical Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and farmed in the Town of Cleveland near Fairchild. Seven children were born to Benita and Ivan, and she was devoted to caring for her family. After sharing 69 years of marriage, Ivan died on October 7, 2013.
For many years, Benita was the Sunday School Superintendent at the Fairchild and Alma Center United Methodist Churches. She taught Sunday School classes at those churches as well as Black River Falls, had Five-Day Clubs, sang in the choir, and served in Women’s Society. Benita was a 4-H leader in three Jackson County clubs, helping her own and other children develop their talents. She also was the president of the Music Boosters at Osseo-Fairchild High School.
After moving to Black River Falls in 1972, Benita worked as a teacher’s and IMC aide in the Black River Falls School District until retirement in 1988. She served as a volunteer with the Black River Falls Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for many years and was active with Jackson County’s Morality in Media campaign and Right-to-Life Chapter.
Benita is survived by her sons, David (Barbara) of Fairchild and Ronald (Cathy) of Oshkosh; daughters Sharon of Appleton, Debra Kraemer of Humbird, and Sandra Matteson of Seattle, Washington. Benita has six grandchildren: Christopher (Jennie) Matteson, Wayne Matteson, Nathan (Heidi) Duerkop, Caleb (Danielle) Duerkop, Elise Duerkop, and Julianna Kraemer, and five great-grandchildren, Orion, Mickeal, Devin, Sierra, and Haylie Matteson.
Surviving siblings include her sister Dorothea (James) Johnson, Opelika, AL, and a brother, Herbert (Barbara) Draeger of Panama City, FL. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lois Draeger of Maplewood, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan; an infant son, Myron, her daughter Margaret, her parents, sisters Fern Draeger, Virginia Draeger, and Ruth Dubbeld, and brothers Edgar, Fred, and Earl Draeger.
Memorial services will be Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 1:00 P.M., at the Black River Falls United Methodist Church with Pastor Kathleen Jury officiating. Care is being provided by the Anderson Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service and a light lunch will follow the service. Burial will be in the Town of Mentor Cemetery, Humbird
.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in Benita's name.
