Mrs. Marlene Eskeli Duke

Marlene Eskeli Duke Marlene E. Duke was born on February 7, 1934 in Oriska, North Dakota to Axel and Dorothy Tougas Eskeli. She was baptized on April 10, 1938 in St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Oriska, ND. Her Godparents were her Grandparents Arthur and Melvina Tougas. She passed away at 85 years old on February 14, 2019. Marlene moved to Oregon with her family in 1938. In 1948 they moved again, this time to St. Ignatius, Montana. Marlene attended seven different high schools and graduated in 1952 from Chehalis High, Chehalis, Washington. She moved to Portland, Oregon, went to work for Minneapolis Honeywell and attended business school at night. In February 1954 she joined the U. S. Air Force. After basic training she attended Personnel Specialist training at Scott Air Force Base in Columbia, Illinois. She was then assigned to the 3241 Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. This, Marlene said, was the best move of her life as this is where she met the love of her life, John Duke of Albany, Georgia. Marlene and John married 5 months after meeting, on St. Patrick’s Day, 1957. Marlene said they had great years together, six children, fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Instead of a honeymoon, John and Marlene purchased a boat and had a boat of their lives together. As the family grew, they eventually bought a pontoon boat that carried 15 passengers - great for the Flint River and weekend outings with the grands. Marlene and John also were members of the U.S. Power Squadron. The squadron taught safe boating courses at Darton for a number of years. Marlene was commander of the squadron in 2000. In 1962 they made another move, this time to Albany, Georgia. Marlene went to work as benefits administrator for Merck, Inc. She retired after 29 years. Much time was spent volunteering. She volunteered for 11 years with Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Other agencies she volunteered with were American Red Cross, Hospice of Albany, Birthright of Albany, and St. Clare’s Soup Kitchen. She was a member of the Albany Chorale prior to her illness. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Darwin and Kurt Eskeli both of Albany, Oregon, her husband, John, and a grandson, Guy Tanner. Survivors include two daughters: Tamie Hunt (Randy) of Newton, GA, Kathy Boyd (Mike) of Canton, GA; four sons: Chip and Mike Duke of Albany, Greg Duke (Jan) of Athens and Leesburg, GA, and Kurt Duke (Chrysanne) of Powder Springs, GA; fourteen grandchildren: Misti Hendrickson of Arlington, GA, Ricky Hunt (Mary) of Iron City, GA, Meghan Duke of West Point, GA, Dylan Duke (Rita) of Columbia, IL, Adair Duke of Chamblee, GA, Colby Duke of Tucker, GA, Landon Duke of High Point, NC, Brittany Duke of Leesburg, GA, Logan Duke of Mitchell County, Kyle Tanner of Albany, GA, Blair Tanner of Canton, GA, Jacob and Regan Duke of Powder Springs, GA; eleven great-grandchildren: Tyler and Emma Hendrickson of Arlington, GA, Sophie and Owen Hunt of Iron City, GA, Keaton Moss and Kambree Weekley of Leesburg, GA, Tinsley Tanner and Kylee Tanner of Canton, GA, Leilyn Tanner of Chesapeake, VA., Savannah and James Duke of Columbia, IL; two sisters: Sharon Ludlow of New York City, NY and Judy Lakin (Bob) of Key West, FL; sister-in-law: Janice Duke Garvey (Mike) of Jasper, GA; numerous nieces and nephews Marlene has donated her body to the Medical College of Georgia for science. A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Father Ray Levreault officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, February 15, 2019 at Kimbrell-Stern from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Those desiring may make donations to St. Clare’s Soup Kitchen, 2005 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Albany, GA 31701 or Albany Humane Society, 1705 Oakridge Dr, Albany, GA 31707. To share your thoughts with the Duke family, you may visit our website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Mrs. Marlene Eskeli Duke

February 7, 1934 - February 14, 2019