Richard Frederick “Dick” Durner, age 86 of Baldwin WI, died peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Baldwin Care Center. Dick was born September 12, 1925 in Edgerton WI to parents Herbert Balis and Bessie Mae (Fellows) Durner. Dick graduated Evansville WI High School in 1943. After serving his country in the United States Navy, Dick went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from UW-Whitewater. On June 8, 1957 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis MN, Dick would be united in marriage to Jeannine Ellen Stinson. Their union in marriage would be blessed with two children, three grandchildren, and over 54 years of love and devotion.

Dick worked in Glenwood City for 2 years before being hired by the Baldwin School District, where he would teach business and accounting classes for thirty-two years. He retired from teaching in 1987. Dick served on the Baldwin Hospital Board for 22 years, and also on the Gethsemane Lutheran Church Council for many years. Dick was known for his love of sports. He could be found cheering at local high school sporting events, as well as cheering for the Badgers and the Packers. Dick enjoyed reading, spending time at Balsam Lake, and listening to music. When it came to traveling, Dick enjoyed everything from simple car trips, to traveling the world with Jeannine. Through their travels, they visited such places as Hawaii, Italy, the British Isles, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France. Dick will not only be remembered for being a great teacher, but also as an exceptional man.

Dick is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeannine; his children, Marilee Johnson of New Richmond, and David Durner of Redondo Beach CA; his grandchildren, Cory and Ty Traynor, and Carly Johnson; his brother, Rodney Durner of Baldwin; sister-in-law, Marjorie Durner of Evansville WI; niece and nephew, Randall (Kathleen) Durner, and Mary Ann Durner; brother-in-law, Milo (Karlene) Stinson of Carlsbad CA; sister-in-law, Dorrine Stinson of Bloomington MN; niece and nephew, Douglass (Angelica) Stinson, and Marcia Stinson; as well as numerous cousins, and friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Bessie Mae Durner; his brother, Herbert Durner; and a sister-in-law, Myrtle Durner.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service for Richard F. “Dick” Durner will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 29th at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1350 Florence Street in Baldwin WI, with Pastor Lowell Bolstad officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday morning, and also from 4:00-7:00PM on Friday AT CHURCH. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory of Baldwin, WI. 715-684-3434