A public visitation for Arthur “Art” Durkee of Morris, MN was held on Friday, August 28, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. A private family funeral service was held Saturday afternoon, with Pastor Reed Stockman officiating. Burial is in Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock, MN.
Arthur “Art” Durkee was born on February 13, 1932 at his home in Moore Township, to Albert and Myrtle (Hubbard) Durkee. He attended District 45 School in Moore Township through the 8th grade. He then attended the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, graduating with the class of 1951. Art enlisted in the United States Army December 8, 1953 and was honorably discharged on November 30, 1961.
Nearly 67 years ago, Art met the love of his life, Carol Osterman. They were married September 5, 1953, and to this union seven children were born.
Art started working at the University of Minnesota, Morris the day his youngest child was born (their “wonder child”) – July 25, 1966. His pride and joy while working at UMM was driving the Cougar bus from 1972 – 1997, driving more than 700,000 miles. He hauled several athletic teams, 4-H groups, geology classes, church groups, senior citizens, choir groups, along with many others, and had many stories to tell. Art was a devoted bus driver and fan and was inducted into the Cougar Hall of Fame in 2002, something he was very proud of.
Art was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Morris, MN. He enjoyed playing smear, being a jokester, teasing his grandchildren and spending time with family and friends.
Art passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at the West Wind Village in Morris. He lived to reach the age of 88 years.
He is survived by his wife: Carol Durkee of Morris; five children: Jackie (Ken) Nohl of Hancock, Rita (Dean) Meichsner of Morris, Keith Durkee of Hancock, Peg (Brian) Kruize of Morris and Linda (Terry) Engebretson of Cyrus; 12 grandchildren: Brian (Kayla) Nohl, Tonya (Bryan) Weiss, Karla (Lorne) Nadgwick, Eric (Liz) Meichsner, Tyler (McKinzie) Meichsner, Tracy Meichsner, Emma (Brandon) Leuthardt, Olivia (Will) Schroers, Amber (Scott) Melberg, Bree (Mitch) Daly, Tera (Tyler) Erdman and Travis Engebretson; 17 great-grandchildren and counting; sister-in-law: Norma Osterman of Morris and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons: Albert and Greg Durkee; his parents: Albert and Myrtle and siblings: Rollie and Lloyd Durkee and Edie Erickson.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.pedersenfh.com.
