Sandra Duerksen Obituary

Sandra Morris Duerksen
AIKEN - Sandra Morris Duerksen, of Aiken, SC and formerly a long-term resident of Wexford, PA and Granger, IN, passed away peacefully in her home on December 22, 2024. She was 82 years old. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday night for visitation from 5 to 7 o'clock. Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the Posey Funeral Chapel. The family wishes to invite all those in attendance following the service for refreshments at the Posey Cottage.
Known by her friends and loved ones as "Sandie," she was born August 16, 1942, in Cleveland, OH to Mary Louise (Graitge) and Curtis Benjmain Morris. She and her older sister, Elaine Louise Morris, grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and Fairview Park, OH. In 1964, Sandie graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. It was at Westminster that she made lifelong friends with her Chi Omega sorority sisters and met the love of her life, Dennis Rae Duerksen. The pair married in 1964 and settled into the suburbs of Cleveland, OH where Sandie taught the fourth grade. Shortly after having their children, Bruce and Chrissie, the couple moved to Pittsburgh, PA. After returning to teaching, she was a successful realtor at Prudential Reality for many years.
Throughout her life Sandie was a consummate volunteer in her community. In Pittsburgh she was active in the Junior League, Meals on Wheels and her children's schools. Living in Singapore she volunteered with equine therapy for disabled youth. In Granger, IN she earned her "Master Gardener" designation and volunteered in her local garden club. In South Carolina she served as President of Carolina Hills Garden Club, President of Aiken Garden Club, President of Aiken's Garden Friends and President of North Augusta Garden Council. She served as the Third Vice President and the Scholarship Chairperson and Membership Chairperson for the Garden Club of South Carolina. She promoted the scholarship program and loved assisting aspiring students with their higher education.
Arts and crafts were Sandie's passions. She was an accomplished quilter, knitter and rug hooker. The Caraway Rug School will never be the same without her! She also had a beautiful singing voice and was a member of several choirs throughout her life. She punctuated everything she did with a laugh and a smile that will be missed by so many.
A loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother, Sandie is survived by her husband, Dennis; her son, Bruce Clayton Duerksen and his spouse Denise; her daughter, Christine Duerksen Sant and her spouse, Alexis; her grandchildren, William Dennis Duerksen, Caroline Dee Duerksen, Gretchen Lee Sant and Molly Elizabeth Sant and her sister, Elaine.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the "Sandie Duerksen Scholarship" with the Garden Club of South Carolina. Donations should be addressed to GCSC as following: Ms. Marian Soule, Treasurer, Attention: "Sandie Duerksen Scholarship", Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., 701 Gervais Street, Suite 150-142, Columbia, SC 29201.
Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta is in charge of arrangements (803) 278-1181.