Celia M. Duarte, 91, formerly of West Beutel Road, Port Washington died peacefully Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at St. Mary’s of Felician Village in Manitowoc where she has resided the past few years.
She was born September 4, 1921, daughter of Edward and Anna Kleckner Biever on the family farm in the Town of Port Washington. In her youth, she worked at the former Port Washington Chair Factory until it closed. She had a pen pal named “Gib” in California. She moved there with a job offer and worked for the same company. After a few years, they returned to Port Washington and got married. On June 30, 1956, Celia married Gilbert E. “Gibby” Duarte of Hayward, CA at St. Mary Catholic Church in Port Washington.
She was a proud homemaker. She did beautiful crocheting and embroidery work. Celia and her husband loved to tend their garden and flowers. She was a quiet, yet social woman who enjoyed cooking. Strong in faith, she and her husband were longtime members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Port Washington. In 2009, she and Gilbert moved to Manitowoc to be closer to family. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2010.
Celia is survived by her sisters Clara (Gerald) Ott of Green Bay, Esther (the late Robert) Hermann of Cleveland, WI, her nieces, nephews, dear friends and staff friends at St. Mary’s of Felician Village and other relatives. She is preceded by her husband Gib, her brother Harold and his wife Margaret Biever.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11AM Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Chapel of St. Mary at Felician Village, 1635 S. 21st Street, Manitowoc. Reverend Dave Plier will be the celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery in Port Washington. Visitation will be from 10:30-11AM Wednesday at St. Mary of Felician Village before the Mass.