Anita Durst, age 100, formerly of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Complete Care at Maple Grove, Madison. Anita was born on November 25, 1925, to Frank and Clara Scheffer at the farm home near Humbird, WI.

She attended local grade school and high school and graduated as class valedictorian. Anita married Louis Durst on August 7, 1946, and together they had 3 sons and 3 daughters: Catherine (David) Schmitt, Michael (Barbara), Mary (Terry) Bethke, Phillip (Eli), Robert (Mary Ann), and Carol (Gary) Tachon.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Louis of 52 years; her parents, son Michael, son-in-law Terry Bethke, grand-daughter Stephanie Schmitt; 2 sisters, 4 brothers, and many aunts, uncles and in-laws. She is survived by her children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom she dearly loved.

Anita was a very dedicated mother and homemaker, always expressing pride in her family and their accomplishments. She loved music, enjoyed playing the piano and singing in her school chorus, church choirs, and the Fitchburg singers. She and her husband enjoyed extensive travel throughout the United States and Europe during their retirement years via planes, trains and automobiles!

The family would like to thank the staff at Complete Care and SSM Health Hospice for their exceptional care of our mother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, at St. Joseph Church, 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison. A visitation in her honor will be held at church at 9:30, prior to Mass. Burial will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow. Memorial contributions can be made to SSM Health at Home Foundation or Fitchburg Senior Center.

Please share your memories of Anita by posting in her guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434