1952
Patricia
2009
Patricia Durst
March 16, 1952 — November 8, 2009
Trusting in her Savior Jesus Christ for her salvation and eagerly anticipating the joy of heaven that awaited her, Patricia Lydia Durst left this world on Sunday, November 8, 2009. Her death brings to an end a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Her smile, sense off humor, and positive spirit stayed with her to the end. Pat was born on March 16,1952, to the late Walter and Violet (Machel) Gresens. She was reborn through the water ofbaptism on March 30, 1952. Her godparents were her grandfather, Robert Gresens, and her aunts, Irma (Alfred) Gresens, and Verna (Harold) Schneiderwent.
She was confirmed on May 8, 1966, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Marathon. The Bible verse she chose was Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." These words were a guide and comfort to her throughout her life. She was a Christian example to all who knew her. On June 11, 1972, she was united in marriage to Randy Durst of Hewitt. Together they shared the love, challenges, and excitement that marriage has to offer. They were partners, supporters, and encouragers of each other in many plans and projects over the years. He survives her as do the children and grandchildren with whom they were blessed: Jennifer (Scott) Longdo, Dakota and Mackenzie, of Marathon; Jonathan (Kari) Durst, Kailey, Kaleb, Morgan, and Madilyn, of Mosinee; and Julianne (Keith) Kreager, Landon and Mavrick, of Marathon. She is further survived by one sister and two brothers and their spouses: Marlene (Paul) Lober, of Jackson, Robert (Janice) Gresens, of Marathon, and Daniel (Phyllis) Gresens of Appleton; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Rick Durst, of Onalaska, Dennis (Ann) Durst, of DeForest, Virginia (Glen) Luchterhand, of Neilsville, and Marg (Steve) Weister, of Marshfield. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, an aunt and uncle, James and Arvilla (Gresens) Berens, many friends and co-workers, and special friends, Tom and Carol Gustafson. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Dawson Kreager, grandparents Robert and Ella Gresens and Robert and Lydia Machel, her in-laws, James and Dorothy Durst and a sister-in-law, Joan Durst.
Pat worked at Mid-Wisconsin Beverage (Pepsi) for 26 years, most of those years as Office Manager. Prior to that she worked at Mark Koenig Accountants. She was part of the last group of students to attend Woodlawn School, a one-room school in the Town of Marathon. She was a 1970 graduate of Marathon High School, and graduated from NTC in Wausau in 1972. As a member of St. Matthew's, she served as a Sunday School teacher and also as president of the Mission Circle. At St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schofield she was a past president of the Ladies Guild, served on the Altar Guild for 20 years, and sang in the Senior Choir. She was also a past president of the Northland Lutheran High School Ladies Auxiliary. Pat enjoyed sharing time with her children, grandchildren, and other family and friends. She loved spending time at the cottage near Phillips, especially enjoying the loons and eagles with which she shared the lake. For her children and grandchildren she leaves behind a legacy of love and respect -love and respect for each other, and most importantly, love and respect for God. She will be remembered for her faith and dedication to her Lord and the Church, her kind and loving ways, her smile, laughing until the tears came, and the Christmas letters that related the events of the past year in that humorous way she had. She will be missed.
Pat and the family want to extend special thanks to Dr. Ahuja and the nurses and caregivers at Aspirus Regional Cancer Center and Aspirus Hospice House.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Schofield. Reverend Walter Davidson and Reverend Jeff Mahnke will officiate. Burial will be in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery, Marathon. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the church and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be given to the church or charity of your choice.
She was confirmed on May 8, 1966, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Marathon. The Bible verse she chose was Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." These words were a guide and comfort to her throughout her life. She was a Christian example to all who knew her. On June 11, 1972, she was united in marriage to Randy Durst of Hewitt. Together they shared the love, challenges, and excitement that marriage has to offer. They were partners, supporters, and encouragers of each other in many plans and projects over the years. He survives her as do the children and grandchildren with whom they were blessed: Jennifer (Scott) Longdo, Dakota and Mackenzie, of Marathon; Jonathan (Kari) Durst, Kailey, Kaleb, Morgan, and Madilyn, of Mosinee; and Julianne (Keith) Kreager, Landon and Mavrick, of Marathon. She is further survived by one sister and two brothers and their spouses: Marlene (Paul) Lober, of Jackson, Robert (Janice) Gresens, of Marathon, and Daniel (Phyllis) Gresens of Appleton; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Rick Durst, of Onalaska, Dennis (Ann) Durst, of DeForest, Virginia (Glen) Luchterhand, of Neilsville, and Marg (Steve) Weister, of Marshfield. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, an aunt and uncle, James and Arvilla (Gresens) Berens, many friends and co-workers, and special friends, Tom and Carol Gustafson. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Dawson Kreager, grandparents Robert and Ella Gresens and Robert and Lydia Machel, her in-laws, James and Dorothy Durst and a sister-in-law, Joan Durst.
Pat worked at Mid-Wisconsin Beverage (Pepsi) for 26 years, most of those years as Office Manager. Prior to that she worked at Mark Koenig Accountants. She was part of the last group of students to attend Woodlawn School, a one-room school in the Town of Marathon. She was a 1970 graduate of Marathon High School, and graduated from NTC in Wausau in 1972. As a member of St. Matthew's, she served as a Sunday School teacher and also as president of the Mission Circle. At St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schofield she was a past president of the Ladies Guild, served on the Altar Guild for 20 years, and sang in the Senior Choir. She was also a past president of the Northland Lutheran High School Ladies Auxiliary. Pat enjoyed sharing time with her children, grandchildren, and other family and friends. She loved spending time at the cottage near Phillips, especially enjoying the loons and eagles with which she shared the lake. For her children and grandchildren she leaves behind a legacy of love and respect -love and respect for each other, and most importantly, love and respect for God. She will be remembered for her faith and dedication to her Lord and the Church, her kind and loving ways, her smile, laughing until the tears came, and the Christmas letters that related the events of the past year in that humorous way she had. She will be missed.
Pat and the family want to extend special thanks to Dr. Ahuja and the nurses and caregivers at Aspirus Regional Cancer Center and Aspirus Hospice House.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Schofield. Reverend Walter Davidson and Reverend Jeff Mahnke will officiate. Burial will be in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery, Marathon. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the church and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be given to the church or charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia Durst, please visit our flower store.