Thomas Yurek

Thomas E. Yurek, 87, Crosslake, died Tuesday evening at the CRMC Transitional Care Unit in Crosby.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM, Monday, May 13that Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, Crosslake, with Father Blake Rozier. Visitation for one hour prior.  Private interment will be at St. John’s in New Brighton, MN at a later date.

Tom was born on February 13, 1932 in St. Paul, MN, son of Thaddeus and Anna Marie (Wizikowski) Yurek.  He grew up and was educated on the east side of St. Paul. He attended Our Lady of the Ozarks Prep Catholic School in Carthage, MO, graduating in 1944.  He served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955.  He was united in marriage with Theresa Marie Buesing in May of 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in St. Paul.  They made their home in Maplewood and he attended St. Thomas University in St. Paul from 1955 to 1959, receiving his degree in Education. He taught for a year in Luck, WI and then taught for five years at Murray (now known as Hill Murray).   The family moved from Maplewood to New Brighton in 1966.   He taught math and English at St. Anthony Village High School and served as their Media Specialist and  AV Director.  He attended St. Cloud State University summers from 1970 to 1972, receiving his Master’s Degree. Tom retired in 1991.  His wife, Theresa, died in 1991.

He was united in marriage with Marlene Amundsen on April 24, 1999 in New Brighton, they made their home in Isanti on Long Lake, had a townhome in Champlin (which they later sold) and wintered in Green Valley, AZ.  In 2005, they began spending their summers in Crosslake.  Tom enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking and winemaking.  In more recent years, he continued his joy of reading and learning. He often purchased items on-line to continue his passion of knowledge and life improvement.

Tom is survived by his wife: Marlene of Crosslake; children: John (Sherry) Yurek of Minnetonka, MN, LeeAnn (Tim) McCollor of Maple Grove, MN, Stephen (Kristen) Yurek of Phoenix, AZ, & MaryJo (Jeff) Thorne of Maplewood, MN; step-children: Deb (Vern) Yetzer of Rochester, MN & Mike (Cindy) Amundsen of St. Louis Park, MN; grandchildren: Beth, Jason, Kyle, Andy, Kristina, Joe, Caleb, Lucas, Ashley, Hannah, Jessica, Katie, Brad, Ryan & Sam; great grandchildren: Shayne, Ryan, Tyler, Carter, Kennedy, Carter, Lincoln, Elsie, Andrew, Samuel & Lucas; a brother: Bud (Carolyn) Yurek of Woodbury, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents: Thaddeus and Anna Yurek; a sister: Sr. Mary Jovilla and a brother: Ted Yurek.