Klara Marie Jurcak

Klara Maria Cecelia Jurcak, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at the Coaldale Health Centre.  She passed away peacefully at the age of 93 years.

Klara was born in Hindenburg Germany on December 20, 1926.  She grew up with fond childhood memories with her mother and siblings. When the effects of war became too great, Klara and her sister were prompted to make a long trek from East Germany to West Germany, ending up near Stuttgart.  After a few years of recovery she met the love of her life, Eugene Jurcak, whom she married in 1951. With Eugene, Klara and her son Klaus immigrated to Canada settling in Iron Springs, Shaughnessy, then Coaldale and eventually Lethbridge. Klara and Eugene remained happily married until Eugene was suddenly taken after 19 years of marriage.

Klara lived a good life centered on family fun. She enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, and barbecues with her children and grandchildren.  She also loved to sing and dance and take pictures of her family to hang on her walls. During her later years she loved going for coffee with Rose and Joanne and looked forward to Caroline’s visits from Edmonton. Throughout her life she always had a canine companion by her side. Klara was known for going for a car ride to visit the local sites of Southern Alberta.  Her favorite social activity was to ‘go for a coffee and a plain bagel’ at Tim Hortons. She also loved to go shopping with family ‘just to look’. She spent much of her time at her beloved townhome in Lethbridge, where she hosted many holidays and made wonderful family memories.

Klara was predeceased by her father Friederich Lemke, mother Florentine Lemke, beloved husband Eugene Jurcak, brother Johannes Lemke, sisters Hedwig, Marta, and Gertrude, son Claus Jurcak, and daughters Rose Jurcak and Ruby Jurcak. 

Klara is survived by her daughters Caroline Jurcak and Joanne McLeod; grandchildren Jean (Travis) Iwaasa, Clifford Iwaasa, Gregory (Brittany) Iwaasa, and John Jurcak; great grandchildren Kallie, Kojun, Jiro, Yua, Everett, Hiroshi, and Raia; nephew Norbert Altvater; ‘other daughter’  Kelly Gorrill.

Klara has been cremated and a memorial will be held in her honor at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or donations, friends and family who wish to make a donation in Klara’s honor are encouraged to do so to the Coaldale Health Centre or to the local food bank.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Klara Marie Jurcak, please visit our floral store.