Muriel Duke

Muriel Lillian Duke, age 82, of Pine River, MN passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016 surrounded by her husband and family. Muriel was born in the Twin Cities on September 20, 1933, to Lyda Cora and Gilbert Richardson. She attended high school at Washington High School in Brainerd, MN, and later finished her schooling in Detroit Lakes graduating in 1971. She married her first husband, Henry "Hank" Soldner, in April 1950. He later died June 28, 1952 and she married Jamie Duke on March 6, 1953.

Muriel had a passion to care for others. She was a CNA, CMT, and home health aide until she retired. Muriel loved children, especially her own and her grandchildren. She worked in the Detroit Lakes Hospital Nursery for many years and loved babies. She was very active in her church. She was a Missionary President, taught Sunday School classes, taught Bible study, taught vacation Bible school, served on the church board, and served on the women's social committees. Muriel was known to bring a car full of children to church with her and Jamie every Sunday.

Muriel was a very compassionate person and loved to volunteer. She would always reach out and help others. Muriel also enjoyed reading, quilting, cooking, canning, berry picking, and gardening. She loved to birdwatch- her favorite bird was the Indigo Bunting.
Her husband and her children are what gave meaning to her life. Jamie and Muriel did everything together- they were inseparable. She always sacrificed and put her children before herself. She was a very active mother doing everything from playing and practicing gymnastics to fishing. In the spring and summer she would walk all of her grandkids down the driveway to look for pretty rocks and agates. In the fall she would rake the leaves into piles for her grandkids to jump in. In the winter she taught all of her grandkids how to free the trees.

Muriel is survived by her loving husband, Jamie Duke of Pine River, MN; children: Henrietta Johnson of Willmar, MN, Rebecca (William) Fennelly of Lees Summit, MO, Jeffery (Diane) Duke of Spicer, MN, Jamie (Kathy) Duke of New London, MN, Kimberely Lightner of Shawnee Mission, KS, Christina Kotz (Jeremy Gardner) of Pine River, MN/ Kansas City, MO, Laurie (Steve) Grotness of Detroit Lakes, MN. She is survived by 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren. Also survived by sister, Delores (Al) Bronner of Sun City West, AZ; brother, David (Eileen) Richardson of Pine River, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Hank; brother, James Richardson; and Baby Boy Duke of Sweet Home, OR.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation Monday, May 30, 2016, at the Church of the Nazarene in Backus, MN, from 5 to 7 PM. Funeral service will be at 12 Noon on Tuesday, May 31, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery immediately following funeral service.