In Memory of Mary L. (Volkmann) Durston

Mary L. (Volkmann) Durston, age 67, of Kiron, Iowa (formerly of Battle Creek, Iowa) passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital of Denison, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 16, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Dr. Jim Edwards will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. 

A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. 

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Mary Lou (Volkmann) Durston, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by love. She was born on June 28, 1958, in Ida Grove, Iowa, to Hazel Mae and LeRoy Rudolph Volkmann. She grew up south of Battle Creek, Iowa, where she was baptized in the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. She graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1977.

Even before graduating high school, Mary’s caring heart led her to work at Willow Dale Care Center, beginning a lifelong calling of caring for others. She later worked at IBP, and, through dedication and determination, earned her LPN while working and being a mom. She returned to Willow Dale Care Center before continuing her career with Horn Memorial Hospital Home Health and Hospice, where she served patients with compassion and kindness until her retirement in 2020. Mary absolutely loved her work, coworkers, and the people she cared for.

On March 1, 1993, Mary married the love of her life, Douglas E. Durston. Together they built a beautiful family. She was the proud mother of Deanna, Desirae, and Dylan, and she loved Douglas, Dusty, Dixie, and Wade as her own. Her children were her heart—but her greatest joy was being a grandma. 

Mary had a rare gift; anyone she spoke to became a friend. Whether at the grocery store, physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, or anywhere she went, she made people feel seen, heard, and cared for. Her legacy is one of love, compassion, and selfless care—a life devoted to family, service, and kindness. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. 

She is survived by her loving husband Doug Durston; children Deanna (Cody) Hasty, Desirae (Derick) Gosch, Dylan Durston, Wade Mummert, Dixie (Joe) Fiorini, Dusty Durston, and Douglas Durston II; cherished grandchildren Keaton, Miles, Hailey, Everett, Wayne, McKenna, Alex, Caden, Stephanie, Cassidy, and Ava; siblings Linda (Jerry) Collins, Larry (Cindy) Volkmann, David (Diane) Volkmann, and Donna (Geoff) Reed; brother-in-law Neil Durston; sisters-in-law Nadine Volkmann and Gaylene (Jerry) Nixon; along with extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents LeRoy and Hazel Volkmann; brother Walter Volkmann; in-laws Helen and Everett Durston; and many beloved family members and friends whom she will joyfully greet again in Heaven.