Carole D. Duerk

Carole D. Duerk passed away Jan. 8, 2012 after a brief illness. Mrs. Duerk was born Dec. 5, 1932 in New Orleans, La., daughter of Eunice Barnes Dowe & Thornton Gregory Dowe. As a child she moved to Miami and eventually to Jacksonville, Fl., where she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. She went on to attend and graduated with honors from the University of Florida. She would then go on to pursue graduate work in Cancer Research. In addition to her numerous academic achievements while at Florida she was also a member and later President of Sigma Kappa Sorority and would maintain a lifelong association with the sorority culminating with her becoming National Treasure for the Sigma Kappa Housing Corporation. Carole married Gene Duerk in Jacksonville in 1954 and in 1965 they moved to Plantation, Fl. During this time they had 3 children and she would spend the next 20+ years actively involved in their lives. While in Plantation she was involved in numerous Civic groups in addition to holding leadership positions in the PTA and Athletic and Booster Clubs at South Plantation High School. She was especially proud of her coaching experience with the Plantation PAL Softball program. Carole and Gene retired to Alligator Lake in the St. Cloud area in 1989. They would join Grace Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Before her health made it impossible she would help with Grace Lutheran School. She was preceded in death by her beloved son Greg. She is survived by her loving Husband of 57 years Gene Duerk, her daughter Kathleen Shiver and husband Randall of Satelite Beach, Fl., son, David Duerk and wife Janet of Auburn, Al., in addition she is survived by grandchildren, Kaitlin Donner and husband Ed, Ashley Shiver, Nicole Shiver, Brittany Duerk and Dakota Duerk. Funeral Services will be held Monday, Jan. 15 at Noon at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, with entombment to follow in Memory Of Life Mausoleum in Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Sunday, Jan. 16, 2012 at Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home 2000 13th Street, St. Cloud, Fl. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church and School, 1123 Louisiana Avenue, Saint Cloud, Fl. 34769. Services under the direction of FISK FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 1107 Massachusetts Avenue St. Cloud, Fl. 34769 407-892-2155 www.fiskfh.com

Carole D. Duerk

December 5, 1932 - January 8, 2012