Force: Army
Sam Duerkson moved from Lodi, California to Grande Prairie in 1925 with his parents and 8 siblings. After renting land in Lake Saskatoon, Sam’s father bought a homestead near DeBolt on Harper Creek. The family lived there until 1935, when Sam’s mother passed away from cancer. Sam and his brother stayed on the farm, while his father and sisters moved to Valleyview. In 1939, Sam enlisted with the Army and served in Scotland with the Forestry Corps. After his discharge and return to Canada, he married his childhood sweetheart, Alba Dierker from Crooked Creek. The wedding took place on September 28, 1945 at the United Church in Grande Prairie. The new couple temporarily lived in Grande Prairie before they settled in North Surrey BC. They had 1 son and 3 daughters.
Source: Across the Smoky p. 374 – name in Roll of Honour
pp. 72-75 – Family story
Grande Prairie Herald Tribune: Oct. 4, 1945 p.4 c.6