Margaret “Sue” Duea of Yukon, Oklahoma, entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on Jan. 1, 2023. She was born July 31, 1946, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Ralph John Van Duser and Dorothy Margaret Marks Van Duser.
On Sept. 6, 1969, she would marry James “Jim” Duea after a chance meeting being set up on a blind date. The couple would share 53 wonderful, adventurous years together – living in Minnesota and Japan, before settling down in Oklahoma in 1984. The pair would raise three sons – Douglas, Brian and Matthew, who were the joy of Sue’s life.
Sue was a patient woman. She held the firm belief that we are all the connected children of God and even if she might disagree with you, she’d still take time to listen to your point of view. She had a servant’s heart and would earn her Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 1997, as well as receiving the 1999 St. John Nepomuk Women of Achievement award.
Sue was a wonderful listener and was just the right person to answer the telephone or greet that person who entered at A Chance to Change, where she was a receptionist. She touched many lives during her time there.
A perfect day for her would be spent working on one of her famous quilts, which she liked to give out as gifts, before watching her grandchildren play in the swimming pool. She adored everyone – family, friends and co-workers – and wanted to make sure everyone felt that love.
She is survived by her husband James “Jim” Duea; sons, Douglas Duea and wife Ann of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brian Duea and wife Inez of Burleson, Texas, and Matthew Duea and wife Ashley of Yukon, Oklahoma; brothers, Mark Van Duser and wife Kathy of Beaverton, Oregon, Ralph Van Duser and wife Mary of West Allis, Wisconsin, David Van Duser and wife Barbara of New Berlin, Wisconsin and Paul Van Duser of Appleton, Wisconsin; sisters, Mary Roland of Redondo Beach, California and Carol Van Duser and wife Julie of New Berlin, Wisconsin; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; eight nieces and nine nephews; as well as her sweet dog Bella.
A memorial service in honor of Margaret was held Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Inurnment was at Fort Sill National Cemetery, 2648 NE Jake Dunn Road, Elgin, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in honor of Sue to A Chance to Change Foundation.
