Yvonne S. Durben, 92, Rochester

Yvonne Shirley Durben, 92 passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Oct. 11, 2015 at Homestead of Rochester.
She was born on Dec. 4, 1922 to Mildred and Archie Staplecamp, of Preston, Minnesota. She attended school in Preston and graduated in 1940. During World War II, she was employed by Douglas Aircraft Company of Santa Monica, California.  After the war, she returned to Preston. She worked at Mayo Clinic. On Sept. 4, 1946, she married Frank “Sunny” Durben, of Stacyville, Iowa. They were married in Rochester at Saint John’s Catholic Church. In 1947, they moved to Dodge Center where they owned and operated Durben and Funk Fairway Foods Grocery Store. Frank and Yvonne loved boating, fishing, playing cards, dancing to Big Band music and traveling. They vacationed in northern Minnesota for many years.
After Frank’s death, she moved to Rochester in 1999. She lived at the Real Life Cooperative, where she met many wonderful friends. In May of 2014, she moved to Homestead of Rochester, where she lived until her death. She loved spending time with her daughters and their families and friends. She was an avid Twins, Vikings and Gophers fan. She rarely missed watching and cheering on her teams on TV. She enjoyed playing Gin Rummy and 500 with family and friends. She especially loved spending time at the cabin with her family.
Yvonne was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church of Dodge Center and she was a member of Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester.
Yvonne was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank, her parents, a brother, an infant son, a son-in-law and an infant great-granddaughter.
Yvonne is survived by her four daughters, who were the loves of her life: Mary (Dick) Hines of Rochester, Bonnie Titus of Carmel, California, Judy (Craig) Wendland of Rochester and Deb (Tom) Ratelle of Edina Minnesota. Her grandchildren: Mike and Patrick Jensen, Renee Redalen, Allyson Holler, Chris Wendland, Ben Borofka and John Ratelle. Her great-grandchildren: Marissa, Megan, Maya, Emma, Isaiah, Ashley, Jillian, Brooklyn, Caitlyn, Zac and Ethan.
A Funeral Mass for Yvonne was held  Friday, Oct. 16 at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester officiated by Father Joseph Fogal. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or Seasons Hospice Rochester.
Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com