Ernest "Ernie" Frederick Jurek

Ernest “Ernie” Jurek, age 86, of Silver Lake passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at The Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. He was born on August 25, 1937, to James Sr. & Barbara (Rudnick) Jurek. Ernie graduated from Silver Lake High School and lived his whole life in Silver Lake. Ernie married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann (Skorpik) on March 16, 1957, they were blessed with four children. Ernie’s first job was working at Barton Poultry Farm for four years, then he was the custodian at Silver Lake Public School for 35 years, the last 25 of those years as the Head Custodian. He retired in 1992. In his early years, he played football, baseball, and basketball in high school, along with playing softball for the town team. He also hunted wild ducks and geese, loved fishing, threw horseshoes in a league, and enjoyed golfing. He especially loved fly fishing and teaching fly fishing for Community Education. During his spare time, he and his friends would shingle roofs, make kitchen cabinets, and do remodeling. After retiring, he found another hobby scroll cutting, making many creations, most notably lake maps out of wood showing the structure/depth of the lake. He took all his creations to craft shows, selling many of them and taking many orders. He was most proud in making large wood plaques that displayed the Lord’s Prayer and Ten Commandments, which are displayed in 8 different local churches. He was a true craftsman who hand cut his creations from wood. His wife was by his side in the shop helping with many of their projects. In addition to his above hobbies, he found time to help the students at the Alternative School in Silver Lake, teaching the kids woodworking skills, and inviting them to his personal woodshop, showing them how to build their own Wood Duck Houses. He volunteered his time to Cedar Crest, by making wood projects for them to paint and enjoyed the residents there, talking about the “old times”. You would always find Ernie in his shop working, never turning away a visitor. Though Ernie most enjoyed sitting in his front yard with his friends and many other friends who happened to walk past, stopping to visit. He was a social butterfly and everyone who talked with him knew he would be a true friend. He served on the City Council, was a Sportsman Club member and was on the Fire Department. Ernie is survived by wife: Mary Ann; children: Scott (Connie) Jurek, Brad (Lisa) Jurek, Ross (Stacie) Jurek, and Kim (Roger) Pokornowski; 8 grandchildren: Chad (Jennifer) Pokornowski, Sara Dressel, Jesse (Rachel) Jurek, Heidi (Jason) Blommel, Dustin (Jordan) Jurek, Megan (Sam) Andrews, Blake Jurek, and Paige Jurek (and fiancé Christian Vega); 13 great-grandchildren: Kyler & Ayla Pokornowski, Ethan Dressel, Marli, Lucy, Penelope, & Maxon Blommel, Jaxson & Raven Jurek, June & Ruby Jurek, and Marren & Lennon Andrews; sister-in-law Lorraine Trnka; and many nieces and nephews. Ernie is preceded in death by his parents James Sr. & Barbara Jurek, brother James Jurek, sister-in-law Marilyn Jurek, and brother-in-law Willard Trnka. The Family of Ernie wish to thank you sincerely for sharing in our sorrow. Your kindness is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered. No thank you cards will be sent. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Silver Lake swimming pool. A Memorial Service for Ernest “Ernie” Jurek will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at The Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 9th from 6-8 P.M. at The Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake. Further visitation will be held on Saturday morning, February 10th at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Private family Inurnment the Presbyterian Cemetery in Silver Lake. The Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.mareshfuneralhome.com