Gwendolyn "Gwen" Marie Durga, 83, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2015, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Gwen was born on April 29, 1932, in Maple City, to the late Robert and Margaret (Welch) Baatz. She married the late Alvin "Al" L. Durga, on June 2, 1950, in Empire. Together, they lovingly raised six children.

Gwen worked for the United States Post Office for 16 dedicated years and retired in 2002. She was a life-time member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #2780. In her spare time, she enjoyed fishing, hunting, canning, baking, gardening and spending time with her family. She will fondly be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Surviving Gwen are her children, Thomas (Lesha) Durga, Linda (Dan) Dalzell, Peggy Cole, Greg Durga, Alvin (Shelly) Durga, and Daniel Durga, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, siblings, Grace Vert, Marjorie Lessard, Ruth "Sally" (Frank) Majszak, sister-in-laws, June Baatz, and Joan Baatz, and many other loving family members and friends.

Gwen is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Al, brothers, Robert D. Baatz Jr., Roland Baatz, Jonathon "Tim" Baatz, Glen "Arnold" Baatz, brother-in-laws, John Vert and Robert Lessard.

A memorial service luncheon will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015 at the VFW Post #2780, on Veterans Drive in Traverse City. A dish to pass at the luncheon would be greatly appreciated by the family. Kindly share thoughts and memories with Gwen's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.