In the name of God, Amen. I Marie Duckering of Kimball in the County of Stearns and State of Minnesota, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament.
First. I order and direct that my executor hereinafter named, pay all my just debts
and funeral expenses as soon after my decease as conveniently may be.
Second- After the payment of such funeral expenses and debts I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved husband John Duckering all the real estate and all the personal property every name and nature that I may die possessed of to have and to hold for his natural life and for his sole use and benefit all the rents and interest of whatever nature and profit of and from the same during the full term of his natural life
Third- I do hereby give devise and bequeath to my beloved children Mary Penoyer, Charles H. Duckering, John A. Duckering, Duane H. Duckering Marie L. Post, Flora B. Nye, Wm C. Duckering and Warren He Duckering all the real and personal property of every name and nature and kind that I may die seized with in equal parts, share & share alike to them and their heirs and assigns forever: Provided however that my said children shall not have any control of any of my property during the natural life of my husband John Duckering, and this paragraph shall be subject to the bequests and and the reservations hereinbefore mentioned
Fourth- I do hereby appoint my son Duane H. Duckering as my executor to this my last
will and testament, and I do empower him with authority to sell and convey any and all
real estate that I May die possessed of and I hereby revoke all former wills by me made.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the
15 day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and five.
Maria Duckering   (SEAL)
This instrument wes on the day of the date thereof signed published and declared by the said testatrix Maria Duckering to be her last will and testament in our presence, who at her request have subscribed our names as witnesses in her presence and in the presence
of each other.
Eliel Peck residing at Kimball, Minn.
Ema A. Peck residing at Kimball, Minn.

State of Minnesota, County of Stearns, In Probate Court, CERTIFICATE OF PROBATE.
In the matter of the estate of Maria Duckering, Decedent,
Be it remembered that on the day of the date hereof at a special term of said Probate
Court, pursuant to the notice duly given, the last will and testament of Marla Duckering Decedent late of said County of Steers bearing date the 15th day of April, 1905, and being
the annexed written Instrument wes duly proved before the Probate Court in and for the
County of Stearns aforesaid, and was duly allowed and admitted to Probate by said Court
according to law; as and for the last will and testament of said Maria Duckering deceased, which said last will and testament is recorded and the examination taken thereof filed in
this office.
In Testimony whereof, the Judge of the Probate Court of said County has hereunto set
his hand and affixed the seal of said Court at St-Cloud in said County this 15th day of
April, 1911       A. H.  Klasen
(SEAL)          Judge of Probate
(See copy of original wil land probate on file)

It is known that John moved to the USA, because his elder sister Mary leaves her estate to him, after the death of her sister Elizabeth and gives John's address as Green Leaf Meeker, Minnisota, USA.. (Michael D. 24.10.96)

History of Steele & Waseca counties, Minnesota - page 740 - Chapter XI - The Courts - Cases - District Judges and the bar of Steele County records: ‘The first offense committed in the county against “the peace and dignity of the United States,” as criminal offenses were designated in territorial times, was upon the part of John Duckering. He had struck a little fellow, or dwarf, called Napoleon Boneparte, cutting him pretty badly, and Boneparte, had Duckering arrested, and fined a small amount. In August of 1857..’ See copy.

Biography Sketch of John Duckering, taken from History & Biography of Meeker County, Minnesota, page 241, published 1888. Copied by Don 20.12.96. 'John Duckering among the older residents of the County, and reliable, trusted citizens, may be round the subject of this sketch, who is a resident of Section 22, Ellsworth Township, where he settled July 5, 1865, and where he is devoting a large share of his attention to the rearing of Norman and English horses, high-bred Durham and Shorthorn cattle, and also sheep. He has some imported stock of the very best strains, thatrepresent a large outlay of cash capital. Of late years the celebrated Cotswold sheep have been his favourite, although formerly doing much fine wool or Merinos. He sold, during the year 1886, of his surplus stock some $1,500 worth. His EnglishShire horse is claimed to be fine a one as there is in the State, and, with one exception, the only one in the county. Hehas now some 348 acres of excellent land, a large share of whichis under tillage. '
'Mr Duckering was born in Apley, Lincolnshire, England, September 11, 1819, hence is nearly the same age as Queen Victoria. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Semper) Duckeing, the former native of Horsington and the latter of Bucknell, England. The great grandfather of our subject was born in Denmark and died in England, and all of the ancesters on his fathers side died in the same house and lie in the same cemetery. John Duckering, the father of our subject, was a Whig in politics, and a Christian member of the Church of England. He was the parent of but three children - Mary, Elizabeth, and John. The two girls are still residents of "Old Albion", living in the city of Lincoln. John Duckering came tothe United States alone in 1842, and first located in Troy, Walworth County, Wisconsin, after a short stay in Milwaukee. He remained there several years, and then removed to Dodge County, in the same state, and there made his home for the term of sevenyears. While there he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Bean, October 22, 1846. She is the daughter of John K. and Maria Bean who had a family of 8 children - Louisa, William, Betsey, Charley, Elizabeth, Maria, John, and one that died in infancy. Mrs D. is a native of Clinton County, N.Y., and is the mother of twelve children, four of whom are dead. Those living are Mary E., Charles H., John, Adam, Duane H., Maria B., Flora B., William C., and Warren. Those deceased are - Dora, born 1861, died Sept. 13, 1886, the wife of James Lemon; Frederick V., born March 29, 1859, died Feb. 25 1864; and William and Willis, twins, born in 1865 who died in infancy.'

Don advises that he can remember being shown his greatgrandfather's grave at Evergreen Cemetery, Everett, Washingtonwhen he was a small boy. (Don 20.11.96)