MEYER — Ann Elizabeth Durben, 88, of Meyer, a devoted farm wife, mother and grandmother whose life was rooted in faith and family, died Monday, August 17, 2026, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.
A memorial service was held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 21, at Sacred Heart Oratory in Meyer. Family members and friends gathered in the church hall following the Mass.
Ann will be laid to rest during a private family burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meyer.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Meyer Sacred Heart Cemetery or Stacyville Community Nursing Home.
Ann was born January 19, 1938, to Theodore and Pauline Runde in rural Riceville.
She attended Bailey Country School through the eighth grade before graduating from LeRoy High School in 1956. Ann began her working life in a clerical position at Rochester Dairy.
She married Lester Durben in 1959. Together, they farmed near Meyer and raised four daughters.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church was an important part of Ann’s life. She remained a lifelong member, finding friendship and a strong sense of community through the church’s activities and her relationships with fellow parishioners.
Ann found happiness in baking, sewing, gardening, watching birds and dancing. Time shared with her grandchildren was particularly precious to her.
After her daughters were grown, Ann worked at Adams Healthcare Center. She enjoyed assisting families and formed treasured friendships with her coworkers.
Ann is survived by three daughters, Sheila Durben of Stacyville, Brenda Jensen and her husband, Del, of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Marlene Weis and her husband, Rob, of Meyer.
She is also survived by five grandchildren, Ami Anderson and her husband, Justin, Alex Jensen, Brittany Weis, Willie Weis and his wife, Nikki, and Ben Weis; four great-grandchildren, Ryder Anderson, Dallas Weis, Rory Weis and Kirbie Weis; and sisters-in-law Eileen Koenigs and Sharon Runde.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester, in 2019; her daughter, Therese Halbach, in 2003; her brother, Leo Runde; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Tom Wilcox; and other members of her extended family.
Her family expressed gratitude to the staffs of Apple Valley Place in Osage and Stacyville Community Nursing Home for the care Ann received.
HOFF CELEBRATIONS–CHAMPION CHAPEL OF OSAGE is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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