Margaret Kurek

Margaret T. Kurek, 101, of Madison, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2022 — nine days shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born on June 6, 1920, in Madison, Wisconsin. Margaret was baptized and raised in the Presbyterian faith and was a member of Christ Presbyterian Church for many years. She married Frank L. Kurek at Pres House on the UW campus on her birthday, June 6, 1942 — just months after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, which marked the beginning of U.S. involvement in World War II.

Margaret enjoyed a happy childhood during the 1920s, and she came of age in the 1930s during the Great Depression. As a youth, she enjoyed swimming, tennis, and ice skating at Tenney Park and learned to play the piano at age 12. She was among the first of her friends to learn to drive. She graduated from East High School in Madison and earned a bachelor's degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a desire to work in a creative field such as interior design. She married soon after graduation and moved to Chicago. Her first job was as a colorist for United Wallpaper in the Merchandise Mart. As Margaret relayed it to one of her relatives, “Many of the high-end homes in the better neighborhoods of Chicago wanted to decorate their homes with special wallpaper that matched their other decorating choices.” Margaret would hand paint the chosen wallpaper pattern in the desired color prior to production. After that she worked in the display department of a large Sears store, dressing mannequins and working on displays for the store windows. When she tired of taking the elevated train to work, she worked in a typing pool during the war that was right around the corner from their apartment.

Ultimately, her goal was not to build a career but to apply her homemaking skills in raising a family. She did this well, guided by her practical wisdom, common sense, prudence with money and artistic nature. She enjoyed decorating and made each apartment or house they lived in a comfortable home. She devoted herself to her husband and two children and embodied Proverbs 24:3 — “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.”

Margaret was involved in various volunteer activities over the years. For example, she was active in her church women’s group and Sunday school, she volunteered for the American Red Cross, was a 4-H leader and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels.

When her children were older and the family was living in Danville, Illinois, she took oil painting lessons from two art teachers who had been sent from the University of Illinois Extension. She created many beautiful paintings, which demonstrated her talent and interest in a variety of subjects. They hung in her home and provide a legacy that she leaves to her family.

After Frank’s retirement, they moved back to Madison, Wisconsin to be closer to the rest of the family. When Frank died in 2011, they had been married 69 years.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Judith (Kurek) Jarvis and son, David Kurek and niece, Ann Fischer; four grandchildren, Paul Jarvis, Christine (Jarvis) McCammon, Daniel Jarvis and Christopher Kurek; and ten great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Kurek, her parents and sister, Eleanor Fischer.

A memorial service and celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at noon. Chaplain Ann Fischer will officiate. Light refreshments will be served following the service. Private interment at Forest Hill Cemetery will precede the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg.

You are welcome to share your thoughts and memories on Margaret’s Tribute Wall.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434