Frederick D. Duerst

Fred was a man of true kindness. He never knew what to expect from me but that burst of laughter was always a gift that I will treasure. I hope his family finds comfort in that he no longer has to struggle. Rest in peace my friend,

My Uncle Freddy was a joy to be with. We shared several poignant moments in each other's lives-the end of his wife Irene's life, his father's death, mother's death (my grandparents) and the unexpected death of his twin sister (my mother). His willingness to form new friendships, square dance as long as he was able, travel to Ireland, and remain engaged with life with humor, offered an example of resilience. He was a comfort and hands-on help to me as I handled my mother's affairs. He let me interview him in 2005 for StoryCorps only if I let him treat me to a funnel cake at IHOP afterwards. When I returned to Madison as a college student he found a companion mourning dove for the one I still cared for since I was a child. He taught me how to use his tools and sanding equipment at his home in Monona, when I bought 2 old school desks to refinish for my nieces. He loved flowers (especially begonias), birds (finches and doves), and cultivated both. He joined in celebrating my college graduation, wedding, and most recently birth of my son, now almost 6. It has been a privilege for our son to get to know Great Uncle Freddy. I appreciated his many calls over the past several years, keeping me up-to-date on his health, checking in on us, and sharing the activities of other loved ones. He will always be remembered for his laughter, ease with which he could relate to people, humility, and willingness to help. Thank you Marcy for taking such consistently excellent care of your father, maintaining his health for many more years despite his several setbacks. Blessed are the caregivers...

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