Anita Duerksen

Anita Louise Duerksen, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home on December 23, 2014 after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Anita was born the oldest daughter of Cornelius and Iris Duerksen on April 20, 1943 in Marysville, California. She grew up in the southern California community of Wasco, graduating from Wasco High in 1961. She married Vernon Fuller in 1963 and they raised four children living in the Sacramento area, they later divorced. Anita spent many years working for the California State Parks as a tour guide in the State Capital. She had a great passion for learning about the history and settlement of the state and sharing that knowledge with those on her tours. She was considered the resident expert among the tour guides at the capital on the famous explorer; John C. Fremont. She gave tours to school groups, tourists, and learned sign language to provide tours for the deaf. Anita was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and served in many callings over the years including Primary, Cub Scouts, Young Women's, and most recently as a Ward Relief Society President. Special thanks to Ethan, Hanna, and Erica of Alliance Hospice who provided Anita with loving and compassionate care in her last days. She is survived by her children, Teresa Sieck (Christian), Robert Fuller (Leslie), Brenda Madrigal (Hugo), Laura Rigtrup (Keith); brothers Carl, Charles, Leon, and Forest Duerksen, sisters Debbie and Dileta; 18 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on January 2, 2015 at the LDS Enoch Ward Building, 555 East Midvalley Road, Enoch UT 84721, with a viewing beginning at 11:30 AM. Internment will be in the Enoch City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.