Obituary: Maureen L. (Durkee) Gebhard

Maureen L. (Durkee) Gebhard, 50, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukeeafter battling cancer.

Maureen was born with Cystic Fibrosis and always fought hard to live and enjoy each and every day. She had lived her last 7 1/2 years of “Bonus Days” (as she called them) since her double lung transplant in January of 2015 to the fullest. Maureen was born on September 25, 1972 in Chilton, WI, daughter of Gerald and Myra (Fischer) Durkee. She grew up in the Reedsville area and graduated from Reedsville High School with the Class of 1991. Her education continued at FVTC and NWTC and then at Lakeland College, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science.

The majority of her career was at Fox World Travel (25 years) where she worked in the Information Technology field. Previously she had worked at Morning Glory Dairy and that is where she meet the love of her life, Ted.

Maureen was united in marriage to her best friend, Ted Gebhard on September 7, 2003 in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho. Almost every trip they took together involved fishing, so their wedding would be no different, trout fishing together that morning, married on a pier, and horseback riding that afternoon.

The couple enjoyed many years on their property in Fremont and eventually had a home built there. It was there they raised bees and sold the honey created by their bee family calling their business Honeymoon Hives.

Survivors include her loving father, Jerry Durkee; her dog, Meadow; aunts and uncles, Dick and Fran Durkee, Dennis and Marge Vedder, Steve and Charlene Dresang, Bruce and Jeanie Fischer, John and Gail Schanilec, Charlie and Deb Rehrauer, Roy and Gloria Fischer. 14 cousins, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Jim with nephews, James and MacKenzie; Ted’s birth family; and many very special friends.

Maureen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ted; her mother Myra; her sister Beth; her maternal grandparents, Elroy and Gertrude Fischer; her paternal grandparents, Francis and Ann Durkee; one cousin, Eric Durkee; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ron and Laurine Gebhard.

Maureen always loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing, and playing with Meadow. She enjoyed carpentry, and building unique projects. She was a person of many talents and never was afraid to try anything. Maureen will be most remembered as the person who always saw the glass as half full and having a great positive attitude no matter what obstacles life threw her way. As well as her unique sense of humor.

The family of Maureen would like to thank all the very special friends in Maureen’s life who helped her in her fight through her illnesses, whether it was a ride to an appointment or helping with the honey. There are just too many to name, but you know who you are. Thank you to Maureen’s CF team and transplant team as well as Froedtert Hospitalfor all the wonderful care they gave to Maureen in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations made will be used to honor Maureen’s favorite charities.

The family invites friends and family to join them celebrate the life of Maureen on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Reedsville Firefighter’s Park, 301 Park St., Reedsville, WI from 4 PM to 8 PM.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the family with arrangements.