William A. Jurenka

Correction: A version of this obituary published Wednesday did not include a time for funeral services.

William A. Jurenka, 91, of Big Sandy, passed away on Friday, Sept. 28, 2013, at his residence of natural causes. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at United Methodist Church in Big Sandy, and burial will follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery. The family has requested that memorials be made in Bill’s name to the Big Sandy Medical Center or the charity of the donor’s choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with service and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Bill was born on April 2, 1922, at the family homestead at Hopp Iliad, Mont., to Joseph and Anna (Blazek) Jurenka.  He was raised there, attending the Tuscania Country School through eighth grade, before moving on to graduate from Big Sandy High School. He met Adelaide Moes in high school, and they married in 1944. The couple’s union was blessed with two children, who they raised at Hopp Iliad. Bill and Adelaide moved to Big Sandy in 1973, and he continued farming until he leased out his farm around 2000. Bill and Adelaide then began traveling, both taking cruises to Alaska and Caribbean and taking jaunts around the country, especially to Yuma, Ariz., where Bill enjoyed golfing and taking “Susie,” his Suzuki Samari, out into the desert. The couple traveled until Adelaide passed away in 1998, when Bill began traveling alone.

  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, dancing, playing cards and word finds. He loved golfing, having just played nine holes in Yuma last winter, at 90 years of age. He also loved horses.  Bill was a people person who had a great sense of humor.  He was kind and courteous to all, and he will be greatly missed.

Bill was preceded in death by Adelaide, his loving wife of 54 years; his parents, Joseph and Anna Jurenka; his two brothers, George and Joe Jurenka; and his three sisters, Mildred Miller, Lillian Fanning, and Ann Marie Hamm.

He is survived by his son, Terry (Cuc) Jurenka of Anchorage, Alaska; his daughter, Renee’ (Kim) Hansen of Harlem; his eight grandchildren; his 12 great-grandchildren; his special friend, Dorothy Evans; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.