Harold K. Duerksen

Harold K. Duerksen was born to Abraham R. and Katherine Klassen Duerksen on April 29, 1925 in Goessel, KS. Harold grew up on a farm near Hillsboro, KS. He attended the Steinbach Elementary School, Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, and later Bethel College Mennonite Church. Harold graduated from Goessel Rural High School in 1943. In 1944 he was drafted into alternate service by the U.S. government, assigned to the Civilian Public Service Forest Service unit in North Fork, CA. Some of his favorite days were fire-fighting in California. He was later transferred to the V.A. hospital in Roseburg, OR, where he served as the director of a mental health unit. Afterwards, Harold enrolled at Bethel College in Newton, KS and graduated in 1951. He sang in the choir, was in the debate club, and was editor of the college newspaper. Following his graduation, Harold took the position of Public Relations Assistant at Bethel College. Harold and Rosella Reimer were married at Bethel College Mennonite Church, and then both served on the faculty. Harold received ordination from the General Conference of the Mennonite Church. Harold and Rosella moved to New York City, for graduate school at the Union Theological Seminary. In 1956 Harold earned a Bachelor of Divinity and a Masters in Theology and Counseling. Rosella earned a Doctorate in Sacred Music. Their summer jobs were camp counselors at Lake George, in upstate New York. They loved it! Harold’s career spanned 3 universities: the Universities of Michigan; Iowa and Arkansas. He was faculty in the School of Religion and Office of Religious Affairs. Later he was the associate Registrar and then Registrar, computerizing the registration processes at Iowa and Arkansas. The Duerksens moved to Tucson, AZ in 2000 to be near their daughter Kathleen and her husband Kevin Finnegan. Harold kept busy working in his daughter Kathleen’s medical office and volunteering in pastoral services at Tucson Medical Center Harold Karl Duerksen is survived by his daughter Kathleen (Kevin Finnegan) of Tucson, AZ, son Thomas of Tucson, AZ, and grandson Edward Adams of Whitney, TX, and his brother Roland (Mary) of Oxford, Ohio, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Rosella, and daughter Kristina. Even at the end, music was “always good to him”! Memorial contributions can be made to the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra in Tucson, AZ. Family will greet friends at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. and can be livestreamed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86834723085?pwd=Szh4bDRKckhaWmVxaE9nNnM1MEpVdz09 Meeting ID: 868 3472 3085 Passcode: 301679. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, followed by a luncheon in the church basement. Cards and condolences may be mailed to Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Goessel, KS 67053.

Harold K. Duerksen

April 29, 1925 - April 11, 2024