On March 10, 2019, Merion “Nick” William Duren, devoted husband and father, peacefully entered heaven after a lengthy illness.
Nick was born in Bakersfield, CA on July 6, 1931 to Robert and Gertie Duren. He graduated from Stigler High School in 1950 and attended Oklahoma State University, studying in Agri-business. After graduating, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany where he met his future wife, Franziska “Fran” Rederer. They were married on May 29, 1959.
Nick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Fran, children Michele, Eric (Julie), Kurt (Laura) and Lars (Kerri). He was blessed with nine grandchildren, Todd, Heather, Tyler, Trevor, Meagan (Burke), Kirsten (Mark), Savannah, Amanda and Elizabeth and two great grandchildren, Hailey and Emma. He is survived by his siblings, Virginia, Travis (Rita) and Bobbi (Carl) along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Nick was an agricultural teacher at Manteca High then moved to Eureka High in Eureka, CA. In 1966, he packed up his family and moved back to Manteca where they settled, and he began his career as a San Joaquin County Agriculture Inspector, retiring after 30 years. He loved agriculture and spending time working in his own huge garden but needed more to do so he began driving for numerous car dealerships in Manteca and Modesto. He loved driving and delivering cars that took him all over California, Nevada and Oregon. On the many of the deliveries, Fran joined him for the drive.
Nick was very involved with his children’s activities as they were growing up. He was a Cub Scout Leader for the his boys, he attended many sports games to watch his sons and later grandsons and he attended parades watching his daughter and later his granddaughters twirl their batons. Family was important to Nick and he always made time to take his family to Arkansas and Oklahoma to visit his siblings and to Germany, so his wife could visit her parents and siblings. Weekend day trips to Pinecrest Lake was a regular summer outing with friends. The Duren Family would like to extend a warm heartfelt thank you to the caregivers and hospice who provided comfort care to Nick during the twilight of his life.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Duren Family. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at P. L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 North Union Road, Manteca. A prayer service will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 10:00am at P.L. Fry and Son. He will be laid to rest at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, 17871 S. Carrolton Road, Escalon, CA. An online guest book is available for condolences to the family at www.plfryandson.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to V.F.W., Veterans Center, 580 Moffet Blvd., Manteca, CA 95336 or Progressive Hospice Care, 1619 H Street, Modesto, CA 95354.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, March 15, 2019
