Ellen McKee Durnberger
Born: April 28, 1940 in Oak Park, IL
Died: May 3, 2026 in Lebanon, TN
Ellen Jean Durnberger (née McKee) was born on April 28, 1940, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Wendell and Claudia McKee and younger sibling to sister, Susan. She met Robert Durnberger and the couple married in 1961, later becoming parents to daughter Nancy and sons Robert and Charles. A longtime resident of Downers Grove, IL, Ellen enjoyed travel, cooking, playing the piano, square dancing, and sewing, amongst other hobbies. Ellen and Robert moved to Mt. Juliet, TN, in 2008 to be closer to their grandson, Evan, and they became members of Celebration Lutheran Church. After 50 years of marriage, Robert passed away in 2012; Ellen remained active, including being a passionate member of multiple Red Hat Society chapters. The love of family and friends remained a priority for Ellen through her latter days.
Ellen is survived by:
Children – Nancy (Julian) Ares, Robert Alan (Janice) Durnberger, Charles (Shelley) Durnberger
Grandson – Evan Durnberger
Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Durnberger; her parents, Wendell and Claudia McKee; and her sister, Susan S. Hedman. Ellen will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service for Ellen will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Celebration Lutheran Church, 3425 N. Mount Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN. Visitation with the family will be held after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are suggested. For more information on how to donate, visit: https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNDHYMMBXU.
Arrangements by Bond Memorial Chapel, 1098 Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615) 773-2663, www.bondmemorial.com.
For more obituaries visit our obituaries page.
This obituary was published by Bond Memorial Chapel – Mount Juliet.
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