Obituary: Robert Truk - Class of 1934

MCFARLAND/ OREGON - Robert J. Turk, age 88, died on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at Nazareth House, Stoughton. He was born on Sept. 2, 1916, in Madison, to Lester and Lillian (Keena) Turk. Bob graduated from Madison Central High School in 1934. He attended the University of Alabama and UW Extension-Madison. Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II and attained the rank of sergeant major. He married Therese Pflieger on Feb. 22, 1943. She preceded him in death on April 23, 1994. Bob then married Dolores Moody on April 29, 1995. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Madison, retiring in 1973. Bob also worked for Madison Newspapers, delivering the Capital Times in Verona, until 1988. He was a member of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon for more than 50 years. Bob was a member of V.F.W. Post No. 1318, the Retirees Postal Union, Holy Name Society, and a life member of the American Legion Post in Verona. He enjoyed fishing, writing, reading, singing and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Bob also enjoyed golf and being a caddy at Burr Oak Golf Course in Madison. He was a football fan and enjoyed ushering at Badgers games. Bob always knew someone, where ever he would go. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; children, Susan (Frank) Statz of Sauk City, Tim (Debbie) of Fitchburg, Terry (Ana) of Fort Atkinson, Mary (Curt) Ace of Hillpoint, and Jane (Duane) Freeman of Sarasota, Fla.; a step-son, Jeffrey (Rhonda) Krauss of Stoughton; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Therese; his parents; two brothers, William and Harvey Turk; and two sisters, Virginia Fleming and Marion Nitka. Funeral services will be held at NAZARETH HOUSE CHAPEL, 814 Jackson St., Stoughton, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004, with Father Gerard Healy presiding. Burial will be in St. Marys Cemetery, Oregon. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 431 Soden Drive, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1, 2004, and at Nazareth Chapel from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Nazareth House. A special thanks to Father Healy, the staff at Nazareth House, and Jim Fleming for their care and concern. Gunderson Oregon Funeral Home (608) 835-3515

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 30, 2004