NEW GLARUS - Margaret J. Duerst, age 92, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011 at Pleasant View in Monroe, WI. She was born on June 2, 1919 in the Town of Exeter, rural Belleville to her parents Jacob and Emma (Ingold) Urben. Margaret grew up on her family's farm and graduated from Belleville High School in 1937. She then went on to attend Green County Normal in Monroe to become a teacher. Margaret taught at the Gill School in the Town of Brooklyn until she was united in marriage to Orso Duerst at New Glarus on July 31, 1942. The couple farmed in the Town of New Glarus until January of 1959 when they moved into town. Margaret later worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for fifteen years in Madison. During her life Margaret was very involved with the Swiss Historical Village in New Glarus serving for thirty years on the Board of Directors, ten years as president. Margaret was also a member of the Swiss United Church of Christ, the Alpine Club, and the Meadow Valley Homemakers. She loved children and volunteered at the New Glarus Grade School for many years.

Margaret is survived by her daughter Lynette (Bob) Ivey of Davis, IL, two sons Eugene (Jill) Duerst of New Glarus, WI and Reggie (Martha) Duerst of Glenview, IL, four grandchildren Matt Ivey of Solon, IA, Mark Ivey of Arlington Heights, IL, Julia Duerst and Elizabeth Duerst both of Glenview, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Orso in 1976, sisters Sylvia (Earl) McClure, Alice (Ray) Michau, Gertrude (Bill) Kreps, Rose (Howard) Zimmerman, and a brother Jake Urben.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at the Swiss United Church of Christ, 18 5th Ave., New Glarus, WI with the Rev. Craig Jan-McMahon officiating with burial in the Swiss Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Swiss Historical Village or the Swiss United Church of Christ.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.