Leona Mary Jurkowski

Leona Mary Jurkowski, 90, Wausau, died Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Benedictine Living Community of Wausau. She was born July 2, 1926 in the Town of Rietbrock in Marathon County, daughter of the late Stanley and Eleanor (Myszka) Writz. On June 28, 1947, Leona married Joseph J. Jurkowski at Holy Family Catholic Church in the Town of Rietbrock. Together they lived in the Wausau area where they were longtime members of St. Michael Catholic Church. Leona worked many years as a homemaker, mom, grandma and great-grandma. She survived brain tumor surgery in 1968 and was an example of humility, strength, humor and resilience through it all. In her earlier years she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, quilting, canning, baking, gardening and caring for her husband and family. Her later years focused on knitting and playing rummy 500. She was preceded in death in 1978 by her beloved husband Joseph Sr. Survivors include her four children, Joseph (Tari) Jurkowski Jr., Franklin, WI., Kenneth (Jackie) Jurkowski, North Fond du Lac, WI, Robert T. (Peggy) Jurkowski, Bettendorf, IA, and Elaine (Roy) LaPean, Suamico, WI; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Greg) Reichelt, Melissa Jurkowski, Caleb (Charity) Jurkowski, Robert J. (Kelsey) Jurkowski, Katherine (Mike) Maheu, Chelsea (Michael) Gustafson, John Jurkowski, Kevin (Erika) LaPean, and Michael (Laura) LaPean; eleven great-grandchildren, Ethan Braun, Cayori Jurkowski, Jack Jurkowski, Wyatt Jurkowski, Charlotte LaPean, Gretchen LaPean, Elsa LaPean, Benjamin LaPean, Joseph LaPean, Matthew LaPean and Grace LaPean.; three siblings, Bernice Passehl, Raymond Writz and Daniel (Mary) Writz; three sisters-in-law, Kitty Writz, Elmira Makowski and Margaret Writz and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Florian Writz, Benjamin "Jack" Writz, Regina Nizzi, Stanley Writz, Margaret Stubler, Jerome Writz and infant Michael Writz. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Wausau. Rev. Robert Schaller will preside. Visitation for friends and family will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at church. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to those caregivers during the last few years who added to her quality of life: Dr. Grace Laynes at Marshfield Clinic in Wausau; Katie, Leo, Victoria, Cheryl, Debbie, and the other caring staff of Mountain Terrace in Wausau; Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Benedictine Living Community of Wausau. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com