Mary Ruth Durante, formerly of Fort Madison, Iowa died Friday, July 4, 2025 at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon, Lisbon, Iowa. She was born July 17, 1935 at Fort Madison, Iowa, a daughter of Harold S. and Pearl E. (Nutgrass) Clark. On July 2, 1983, she married Walter S. Whitledge at Fort Madison, Iowa. He preceded her in death. On July 1, 1995, she married Jesus “Jesse” P. Durante at Fort Madison, Iowa. He preceded her in death.
She is a life long resident of Fort Madison. In 2008, she moved to Lisbon, Iowa to be near her daughter. She worked as a Registered Nurse at the Sacred Heart Hospital, then the Fort Madison Community Hospital and now as it is known the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison for many years. She is a former member of the Fort Madison Art Center, and enjoyed all things crafty especially painting and jewelry making.
She is survived by her children: Richard W. (Sherry Braby) Burke of Osceola, Iowa; Daniel C. (Christy Simmons) Burke of Portsmouth, Virginia; Mary L Burke of Lisbon, Iowa, and Michael A. (Joni Beach) Burke of Prairie Farm, Wisconsin; siblings: Dorothy M. Harris of Lamoni, Iowa; Harold S. (Anna Vaughan) Clark of Leavenworth, Kansas/now Brownsville, Texas; and James F. Clark of Maryville, Missouri; 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and lots of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, both her husbands, a brother-in-law (Loren Harris), and a sister-in-law (Ann Duncan).
Her family will greet friends from 1:30 - 2:30 pm Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. A Memorial Service will follow and begin at 2:30 pm Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, with Chaplain Andrew Oldfield officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa. A memorial has been established, contributions may be sent to the Barr Memorial Chapel. Online condolences to Mary’s family may be made from the Barr Memorial Chapel,
www.barrmemorialchapel.com.
