Elsie Hilda Duerst Funseth
Elsie Hilda Duerst Funseth died on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the age of 95 while residing in the New Glarus Home. Elsie was born to Mary Zentner and Jacob Duerst on August 4, 1917 in Junction City, WI. She married Clarence John Funseth on June 24, 1936. They farmed in the Town of Primrose until moving to Belleville in 1955. Elsie was a sheet metal worker for the Carnes Corporation for 29 years. She was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Belleville. Elsie was a very selfless and caring woman. Her mother died at a very young age and Elsie raised her younger sister Carol. She often cared for family and friends who were sick or dying. Elsie adored her grandchildren and would lovingly look after them whenever asked. She was a good seamstress and loved to crochet blankets for all to enjoy. Elsie also loved flowers and tending to her gardens, and watching the birds that would visit. She loved to read and was a regular patron of the library, and she also enjoyed doing her daily crossword puzzle.
Elsie is survived by her children, Sherry (Ron) Schult of Barneveld, WI, Don (Renee) Funseth of Belleville, WI, and Bob (Melinda) Funseth of Verona, WI. She is further survived by a daughter-in-law Barb Funseth, brother-in-law Bob Emerson, and sister-in-law Lorraine Duerst, grandchildren Jeff and Jon Funseth, Rich (Joan) Funseth, Terri (Vinnie) Graziano, Tracy Funseth, Tom (Jo) Funseth, Dan Funseth, Bret Schult, Todd (Tina) Schult, Lance (Sue) Schult, Shannon (Tony) Bomkamp, Faye (Bob) Nolden, Casey (Lena) Funseth, Erin (James) Nolden, Cole Funseth, and Neil Funseth. She is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clarence in 1975, sons Larry in 2004 and Harvey in 2010, brothers Leon and Melvin Duerst, and sisters Hilda Forsyth and Carol Emerson, and a half-brother Godfrey Geissberger.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI with the Rev. Heide Walker Hackman officiating.
Relatives and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home in Belleville.
Graveside burial services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Belleville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com
