Obituary: Jacquelyn (Hanson) Hur - Class of 1941

Jacquelyn Hanson Hur recently passed away after a short illness. She was born in Madison, on June 9, 1925. Her parents predeceased her. John Brastad Hanson and Bird Swenson operated a Williamson Street landmark "The Spot Lunch" for many years: "We can feed 10,000 people, 10 at a time". Jacquie graduated Madison Central High School in 1941 and entered the University of Wisconsin School of Music. Following three required major recitals she was officially recognized by Professors Church and Johanson as a concert pianist. Jacquie was the fifth member of a select group of musicians qualified to play the University of Wisconsin Carillon Bell Tower on Bascom Hill. Jacquie played piano and sang in a trio at the Madison U.S.O. during the war years. Although she was underage at the time, the entertainers were occasionally permitted to stay for the dances. One of her dance partners was Truax Field radar man Ken Hurwitz. They were married in Madison on January 18, 1946 in Trinity Lutheran Church. Jacquie enjoyed singing Sweet Adeline Barbershop Quartet music semi-professionally for over 50 years from New York to New Orleans. The culmination was performing throughout the midwest as the Capitol Squares Quartet together with Barb Geschwend, Doris Howland and Lori Breszee. She worked as a secretary for the Revisor of Statues for the State of Wisconsin, then later as a paralegal. She worked side by side with her husband, flamboyant Madison lawyer, Ken Hur, as he battled for television advertising for lawyers. Following Supreme Court authorization they consequently opened the very first legal clinic in Madison, where "You could talk to a lawyer for just 10 bucks". Jacquie and Ken retired in Key Largo in 1983, where Jacquie was active in the National Organization of Women and other feminist organizations. She was a volunteer brailler, producing translations of magazines, documents and books for people with visual disabilities. She completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement course to be able to serve as a member of the Monroe County State Attorney's Office as a rape victim advocate. This led to a five year period when she and Ken worked with the Florida State Department of Juvenile Justice as jailers, transporters, court officers and counselors for incarcerated children. One of Jacquie's greatest pleasures was traveling and parading with her family in their antique cars or, after retiring, on Goldwing motorcycles. They had crossed the United States many times and had traveled throughout Europe. They were life members of the Goldwing Road Riders of America. She leaves her life long lover, Ken and their five kids, Janine (Michel) Brimbal of Paris, France, Tamarasue (Ken) Kaplan of Madison, and Savannah, Georgia, Phil (Kathy) of Gresham, Oregon, Jug of Waunakee, and BB (Steve) Otey of Miami, Fla. There are six grandchildren,: Jackie Ray (J.R.) of Waunakee, Daniel and Laure Brimbal of Paris, Dawna, Angelyn and Tremaine Otey of Miami; and a great-grandson, Donovan Otey. A memorial celebration of her life is being planned for this summer in Madison.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 16, 2005

Note: According to Social Security records, the date of death for Jacquie Hur is December 4, 2004