Harlen A. Duerst, age 87, passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the New Glarus Home. He was born on April 27, 1929 to his parents Herbert and Edrie (Freitag) Duerst. Harlen graduated from New Glarus High School and then served in the United States Army in Korea. After his military service Harlen came home to farm with his parents and uncles on his grandfather's farm. On February 26, 1955, he was united in marriage to Dawn Geske. Harlen was a member of the Swiss United Church of Christ and the Stuessy-Kuenzi American Legion Post 141 in New Glarus and the Farm Bureau. Harlen enjoyed gardening and making furniture along with Badger Basketball and Football. Over the years, he had made a bedroom set and coffee and end tables along with train and race car sets. Most important of all was the time spent with his family.

Harlen is survived by his wife of sixty-two years Dawn, sons Randy and Todd (Nita), grandchildren Keith (Jayme), Dacy, TJ, Dane, Devi, Mallory and Carly, and great-grandchildren Addison and Maya. He is further survived by his sisters Audrey Saxer of Monticello, and Erma Curtis of Madison, sisters-in-law Valerie Payne of Janesville, Lawanna Quam of Edgerton, and Michelle (Herb) Krapf of Oregon, brother-in-law Kevlin Geske of Indiana, godchildren Kent Duerst, Laurie and David Hustad, many nieces and nephews, and his faithful pal Snickers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Kurt, brothers-in-law Edwin Saxer, George Curtis, Dale Payne, and Nels Quam.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 Sixth Ave., New Glarus, WI with Pastor Patty Marty officiating with burial in the Swiss Church Cemetery with military honors.

Relatives and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home in New Glarus.