Ivan Santford Durst

Ivan Durst, age 91, of Neillsville, WI died Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Ministry Home Care Hospice - House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI.Ivan Santford Durst was born on May 23, 1922 at home in the Town of Mentor, Clark County, Wisconsin. He attended Lone Pine Elementary School in Mentor Township and then graduated from Fairchild High School. Ivan then worked in the CC Camps nears Rock Dam. Later, he moved to Chicago, where he washed dishes for an upscale restaurant. On November 17, 1942 he enlisted into 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 on December 28, 1945 he returned home to help on the family farm. On January 20, 1949 he was united in marriage to Gertrude L. Eisberner in Black River Falls, WI. 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 twenty-four years of their retirement they enjoyed wintering in New Mexico. Gertrude died on 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 travelling, 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, WI, Carol (Steve) Boushon of Granton, Allen (Anne) Durst of Neillsville and Charles (Pam) Durst of Neillsville, nine grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Ivan is also survived by one brother, Raymond Durst of Fairchild, WI, four sisters, Betty Marg of Black River Falls, WI, Leone Scholze of Black River Falls, Vivian Schutte of Marshfield, and Ella Jean Scholze of Rudolph, WI, 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, January 22, 2014 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, WI. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at the Gesche Funeral Home, with a 7:30 p.m., Rosary Service, and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church.Casket Bearers are: Scott Quicker, Dalton Durst, Zachary Durst, Matthew Durst, Anthony Wallace and Billy Joe Kolnhofer.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456