Debbie Doerksen
Board Member
Debbie was born and raised in Fresno, California to Charles and Evelyn Freeman. She is the middle child with an older brother and younger sister. She grew up in Old Fig Garden where she could ride her bike freely and enjoy this nice little gem in the middle of Fresno. She attended Fresno High School and went right to work after graduation. At the age of 24, she worked for her father at his x-ray equipment and supply business. Her father passed away suddenly in 1993 and the business was sold. Then she launched a commercial records center that served her father’s clients which she sold 24 years later to a Fortune 1000 international company, after being diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor on her pancreas which was removed in 2012.
While operating the business, she participated in many community outreach projects by partnering with various non-profits. One of those non-profits was the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. Her business offered free records management services to the Parkway and was able to work with the staff on record compliance issues. After serving as a vendor and attending several events as a guest of Elise Moir, she became involved with the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust in 2014 as a Board Member! Her son, JJ, attended River Camp for several years and recruited many kids along the way. On some occasions, she would drive up to five children to camp. They loved it! They never wanted it to end and couldn’t wait until the next year. It was an experience they continue to discuss as adults.
As a child, Debbie would swim at the river, as a young adult she would float the river and now she advocates for the San Joaquin River and is committed to educate our future generations, preserving this wonderful outdoor space for wildlife, and continuing to help complete the 22-mile Parkway. She is married to Charles Doerksen (21 years) and has five children. Katy is the oldest, is married to Chris, and has two children, Carter and Gwyneth. Sarah is living in Wales, married to Will, and works for Prince Charles’ Trust. Hannah is living in Sacramento and working in the medical field. JJ is attending Biola and working a Via Church. Nick (bonus son as of 2020) is attending Community College and working on the family ranch.
In 2006, Charles and Debbie purchased five acres of riverfront on the Kings River with the intent of living there, however, health issues made it difficult to live far away from medical care. During the pandemic when outdoor socially distanced space was desired, they decided to create a Glamping/Wellness/Retreat space on the river. Her grandfather’s brother was the original founder of Freeman’s Lodge in Bass Lake now known as Ducey’s. Her grandmother would serve fried chicken dinners and the fisherman would camp on the porch until the cabins and lodge were built. This is the motivation behind the new venture to recreate a little piece of family history. There is a small vineyard on the property recently named Jacob’s Vineyard. Approximately 1,500 bottles of wine are produced each year through a partnership with a local winery. Recently, they partnered with the UC Organic Agriculture Institute, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center Department Entomology UC Riverside and Jacob’s Vineyard has now become a test site for organic fertilizers and pest control.
In 2006, Charles and Debbie purchased five acres of riverfront on the Kings River with the intent of living there, however, health issues made it difficult to live far away from medical care. During the pandemic when outdoor socially distanced space was desired, they decided to create a Glamping/Wellness/Retreat space on the river. Her grandfather’s brother was the original founder of Freeman’s Lodge in Bass Lake now known as Ducey’s. Her grandmother would serve fried chicken dinners and the fisherman would camp on the porch until the cabins and lodge were built. This is the motivation behind the new venture to recreate a little piece of family history. There is a small vineyard on the property recently named Jacob’s Vineyard. Approximately 1,500 bottles of wine are produced each year through a partnership with a local winery. Recently, they partnered with the UC Organic Agriculture Institute, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center Department Entomology UC Riverside and Jacob’s Vineyard has now become a test site for organic fertilizers and pest control.