Margaret Eva Juergenson

Margaret Eva Juergenson, 83, passed peacefully on July 17,2025 in Durham, North Carolina. A woman of remarkable strength and resilience, Margaret overcame many medical challenges with a positive outlook that inspired those around her.

Born in Clarendon, Texas to Violet and Maynard Miller on December 6, 1941, Margaret spent memorable portions of her childhood in Biloxi, Mississippi and Hot Springs, Arkansas. She studied at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas for 2 years before transferring to the University of Tulsa to complete her undergraduate work as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Painting in 1973. She fulfilled her dream of becoming an art teacher, and enjoyed teaching students at Holland Hall school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After marrying Kuno Juergenson in 1974 and a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Margaret chose to pursue her passion for art in a home studio while raising her two daughters.

An active member at John Knox Presbyterian Church, Margaret volunteered for service positions and sang in the choir. She enjoyed motherhood and participated in school events, PTA, and volunteered as a Camp Fire leader. She loved gardening and found joy in the vivid colors of nature.

She and Kuno relocated in 2010 to Durham, NC to be closer to family. Margaret became a resident at Croasdaile Village Pavilion in 2017 and served as the Pavilion Resident Council president for many years. She adapted to her physical limitations with grace and continued to nurture her artistic talents by painting and drawing daily. She was especially known for her beautiful handmade cards for family and friends. She also created close to 100 holiday cards to prisoner inmates on death row as a service project for her Durham church family, Westminster Presbyterian Church. People gravitated to Margaret because of her positivity, captivating stories, sense of humor, and genuine interest in others.

She is survived by her daughters, Eva Welch and Mari McLean; grandchildren, Logan and Raimi Welch, and Kate and Luke McLean, and sister, Reverend Louise Row (and husband Robert)

She held dear her nephews William Row, Michael Row (and wife Allyson Shaw), Chris Miller, Eric Miller, and son-in-law, Brandon Welch.

She is predeceased by her husband, Kuno Juergenson; parents; brother, Donald Miller; 4 half-siblings, Mary Elizabeth Miller, Dorthea Miller-Barr, Maynard Millard Miller, June Speed;  and son-in-law, Scott McLean.

Per her wishes, a small celebration of life with close family and friends will be held in the near future.

Contributions in her memory can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church  or Hock Family Pavilion in lieu of flowers.

Donate to Westminster Presbyterian Church

Donate to Duke Homecare/Hospice (specify donation to the Hock Family Pavilion)