Mary Durst

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Mary Durst, age 78, of Worthington, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Care Initiatives in Sibley, Iowa on December 13th 2025.

The Durst family will receive friends and family on Saturday, January 17th, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okabena, MN.

A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM at the church.

A time of fellowship and lunch will follow the service in the church basement fellowship hall. During this time, everyone is encouraged to share their favorite memories of Mary.

Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley is in charge of services.

Mary Eileen Durst was born June 26, 1947, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Harold and Marie (Espland) Martinson. She grew up in Tucson, AZ, and Inwood, IA, spending the majority of her youth in Inwood. Mary developed a love for cows at a young age and talked her dad into letting her start a dairy operation in her early teens. She was active in 4-H, and her love of cows followed her throughout her life.

She graduated from Inwood High School in 1966 and continued her education at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA. While living there, she met David William Durst, and they were married in 1967. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in several northwest Iowa communities, including Estherville, Boyden, and Gaza, IA. While living in Gaza, Mary began milking, raising, and showing Brown Swiss dairy cattle, later transitioning to Jerseys.

In 1985, they moved to Rock Rapids, IA, and in 1989 purchased an acreage where they milked and showed Holstein dairy cattle. In 1998, they moved to Heron Lake, MN, and later moved to Mountain Lake, MN, in 2006. In 2012, Mary and her sidekick, Tinkerbell, moved in with her daughter and son-in-law on their acreage outside of Bigelow, MN. There, she thoroughly enjoyed living in the country again, owning a horse, and being surrounded by various livestock. In 2023, she moved to an apartment in Worthington, MN, when doing steps became too cumbersome. She loved her apartment and the friendships she formed there.

Mary was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okabena, MN, where she was active in women’s Bible study and taught preschool. She was also an active member of NAMI. Throughout the years, she worked as a Head Start teacher’s assistant in Rock Rapids, IA; Jackson, MN; and Mountain Lake, MN, and Mental Health Practitioner in Worthington MN, She enjoyed caring for animals, volunteering wherever needed, spending time with her family and close friends, and time in the Word.

Mary’s faith was a steady foundation throughout her life. She found great comfort and strength in God’s Word and loved sharing that faith with others through Bible study, teaching, and quiet acts of service. Mary will be remembered for her gentle spirit, strong work ethic, love of animals, and deep devotion to her family and friends. She was known for her wise counsel, thoughtful advice, and God-given wisdom, along with a natural gift for working with children and compassionately supporting those navigating emotional or mental health struggles. Her life was a testimony of perseverance, kindness, and faithfulness.

She is survived by two children, Dena (Rick) Gustaf of Bigelow, MN, and Darren (Amy) Durst of Cantonment, FL; grandchildren, Alyssa Gustaf; Derek (Kristen) Durst; Nate (Yadira) Gustaf; Darlain(Elijah) Morris; Danielle (Orrin) Hanel, ; three great-grandchildren, Madison, Tobias and Mila; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Melvern Martinson and Marie Tilda (Espland) Martinson; a granddaughter, Karlee Mae Gustaf; and an aunt, Stella Espland Getting.