Obit: Durst, Ivan Santford (1922 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Durst, Eisberner, Quicker, Boushon, Marg, Scholze, Schutte, Sieg, Kurasz, Wallace, Kolnhofer, Resong, Varkey

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 1/22/2014

Durst, Ivan Santford (23 May 1922 - 18 January 2014) With Flag

Ivan Durst, 91, of Neillsville died Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at the Ministry Home Care Hospice - House of the Dove in Marshfield.

Ivan Santford Durst was born May 23, 1922, at home in the Town of Mentor, Clark County. He attended Lone Pine Elementary School in Mentor Township and then graduated from Fairchild High School. Ivan then worked in the CC Camps near Rock Dam. Later, he moved to Chicago, where he washed dishes for an upscale restaurant. Nov. 17, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Kailua in the South pacific during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy Dec. 28, 1945, he returned home to help on the family farm. Jan. 20, 1949, he was united in marriage to Gertrude L. Eisberner in Black River Falls. Ivan then worked at various jobs throughout Wisconsin. They settled in Neillsville in 1969, and Ivan worked as a welder at Nelson Muffler for 22 years. During 24 years of their retirement they enjoyed wintering in New Mexico. Gertrude died July 27, 2008.

Ivan was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post #73 in Neillsville. Along with traveling, Ivan also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by six children, Kenneth (Melinda) Durst of Neillsville, Suzanne Durst of Neillsville, Evelyn (Gene “Butch”) Quicker of Granton, Carol (Steve) Boushon of Granton, Allen (Anne) Durst of Neillsville and Charles (Pam) Durst of Neillsville; nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Ivan is also survived by one brother, Raymond Durst of Fairchild; four sisters, Betty Marg of Black River Falls, Leone Scholze of Black River Falls, Vivian Schutte of Marshfield and Ella Jean Scholze of Rudolph, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gertrude; three brothers, Virgil, James, and Neil Durst; and three sisters, Dorothy Sieg, Eva Kurasz and Ethel Schutte.

A Mass of Christian burial for Ivan will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. The Celebrant will be Rev. Joseph V. Varkey. Music will be provided by Ronald Resong, organist, and St. Mary’s Choir. Interment will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Fairchild. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, with a 7:30 p.m. Rosary Service and will also take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Casketbearers are Scott Quicker, Dalton Durst, Zachary Durst, Matthew Durst, Anthony Wallace and Billy Joe Kolnhofer.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Ivan’s family with funeral arrangements.