I was born 11–11–1949 (the 11th hour – I have a thing with numbers) to Ben and Linda (Rupp) Duerksen. I grew up on an 80 acre farm in Dale Township, Cottonwood County, with four brothers: David, Edward, James, and Richard. My education consisted of 6 grades at Green Hill Country School and I graduated from Windom High School in 1967. I then attended 2 years of Bible School in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada, and receive an Evangelist License from a Christian Pastors group (Evangelical Church Alliance). I love my wife of 47+ years - Margaret Buckholtz of Mapleton, MN. We were married August 5, 1972, and gradually blessed with four children: JoAnna (Bruce Miller), Joshua (Heather), Lynn (Thomas Stoneking), and Phillip (Candice). Margaret and I were also blessed with a perfect number of grandchildren – seven. They are Macee, Colt, Briggs, and Austyn Duerksen; Jackson, Evelyn, and Pearl Stoneking. Life with them was super, except…giving up my "Judge Judy" TV show at 4pm for the Children's Channel.  In 1970, I purchased nine-acres in Delft. Together, Margaret and I evolved it, piece-by-piece, into Maranatha Ministries – which consisted of: retreats for churches and youth programs, a coffee house ministry in the old Delft Creamery, records and CDs, and traveling throughout the country while singing and sharing of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As a young child, a special talent God gave me was playing the piano 'by ear' – using mostly the black keys. I also played the accordion and harmonica. I developed Diabetes in 1967 at age 17. Due to the diabetes, I experienced loss of eyesight, kidney dialysis and kidney transplant (27+ years), triple-bypass heart surgery, and I survived the West Nile virus w/ brain encephalitis. I endured a below-knee amputation on my left leg and all-toes amputation on my right leg. And lately – skin cancer and Shingles. With each health issue, God grew our faith in Him – to help us endure the trials before us. We witnessed many miracles by His hands – ones that only HE could do. I know I could not have survived this life without Margaret by my side. I Love her, and I am so grateful for her. Along with the Gospel Ministry, I held occupations including working at the Delft Lumber Yard, Aaron Link Service Master, Leo Bartosh's Garbage Route, KBQ Swine Feedmill for Steve & Cheryl Dick of Mt. Lake, milking cows for Walter Unruh near Delft, and 32 years of Township Assessing of buildings and land. Despite my health issues, each of these employers gave me a chance to serve them and provide for my family. They blessed me. Later in life, I enjoyed making over 30 three-ring binder history books of families, communities, Maranatha Ministries, my Diabetes journey, and my grandchildren. I also took time to pray for 200+ people each morning and encourage others over the phone. It's what I could still do. And right now – I am walking and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:8) with family members and friends who have gone before me! Mom & dad, brothers Edward & James, dad-in-law Phillip, brother-in-law Bob, great-aunt Maude, cousins, aunts & uncles, and many others. Waiting to join me are my wife Margaret, my children and grandchildren, brothers David (Mary) and Richard (Deanna), sister-in-law Joan Duerksen, mother-in-law Murial Buckholtz, sister-in-law Judy (Stan) Rempel, brother-in-law Larry (Fran) Buckholtz, sister-in-law Sue Sommer, and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. I want YOU here in Heaven with me! If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, do it right now – while you are celebrating my promotion! Simply pray: "God – I am a sinner, and I am sorry. Come into my life and Change me!" And now Go and LIVE! I'll see you soon.