Ethel Mae Durkee, 79, Edgar, was called home on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Mount View Care Center under the care of the Aspirus Hospice team. Her family was with her throughout her journey home. She was born May 3, 1944, in Wausau, to the late John and Erma (Jacobi) Stange. She married the love of her life, James Jay Durkee Sr., on July 8, 1967. They were married 54 years before he preceded her in death on December 29, 2021. Ethel was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her family so very much. She was the proud mother to two children. She is survived by her children: James (Dorinda) Durkee Jr. and Ronda (Bryan Kramp) Durkee. She was also blessed with one granddaughter who meant the entire world to her, Isabelle EttaMae Kramp and grand-pups, Buddy and Roxy; her bonus children, Barb (Chuy) Celis and their children: Jacob Mueller (godson), Lukas (Jen) Celis and Erik Celis. She is further survived by her brothers: John (Jessie) Stange and Kenneth (Mary) Stange; sisters: Clara Robl and Dorothy (John) Fons; brothersin- law: Kenneth (Donna) Durkee and Roger (Becky) Durkee and sister-in-law, Joan (Gene) Gilbertson. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and in-laws, Don Durkee and Balance (Douville) Sandoval; brother-in law and wife, David (Mary) Durkee; cousins-in-law: Clarence (Darlene) Wendtland, Michael Wendtland and Richard Wendtland; infant niece, Susie Wickman; special foster son, Peter Skidmore and nephew-in-law, Boyd Parker. Ethel is also further survived by many family, nieces, nephews and friends who all meant so very much to her, including her goddaughter, Marion (Durkee) Parker; the whole Wendtland family, amazing friends, Lloyd (Mary) Schultz, and cousin, Carol Birkholtz. Ethel worked at Marathon Battery Works in her early years. James and Ethel then fostered many children and Ethel babysat many families and friends for many, many years. She retired from the sewing room at Badger Basket in Edgar. She was a very talented and gifted artist, who used those talents in her baking, quilt making, cake decorating, teaching Sunday School at St. John’s High Steeple, coordinating the VBS projects for many years and making banners that still can be seen hanging in the church to this day. The love she put into making her quilts will live on as those who still cherish them today will be able to continue to wrap themselves in her love with them. She was a loving, kind and generous mother who showed her children and the children she looked and loved after that love every day. She loved to bake cookies and ensured there were always cookies in the cookie jar for little hands. She especially loved making cookies at Christmas time and sharing them with everyone. She was a selfless and giving person and passed those traits on to all she touched. Mom was taken home to God’s and our Dad’s arms; we are sure he was waiting patiently for her to arrive and is once again just enjoying sitting with her talking. We know Mom’s love will always be with us in our family traditions and the love we share with each other. We will miss Mom so very dearly, but she taught us that we will see her and Dad again in heaven when they both greet us with God. She truly showed us her faith and that will stay with us always. We love you Mommy and Grandma; always, always and forever! A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church-High Steeple, 119415 Huckleberry Road, Edgar, WI 54426. The Rev. Michael Mathey will preside. Burial will be at a later date in the Mosinee Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www. petersonkraemer.com. Paid obituary 145825