Obituary of Minerva B. Schurke

Minerva B. Schurke was 98 years and 4 days old when she passed away peacefully on March 16, 2014, at Providence Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia, Washington. Minerva was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 12, 1916, to Petronella (Soparas) Budris and Peter Paul Budris. She grew up with an older sister (Eve) and two younger brothers (Albert and Edmund). She married Marvin H. Schurke in Chicago, Illinois, on October 20, 1934, and they moved to Oak Lawn (a Chicago suburb) in 1939. They had two sons, Marvin L. Schurke born in 1944 and Kenneth R. Schurke born in 1947. Minerva and her husband were among the 16 charter members who founded St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn. Minerva served for several years as the editor of that church’s monthly “Letter of St. Paul” newspaper. After office jobs at Time, Inc., in Chicago (where she started a stamp collecting hobby that continued until her final year) and Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Minerva served as secretary to the superintendent of schools at Oak Lawn–Hometown School District 123 from the mid-1950’s until her retirement in 1986. She moved to Olympia in 1989 to be near family, and joined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Minerva then revived her office skills as a volunteer in the Black Hills Community Hospital, Thurston-Mason Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Capital Area Youth Symphony Association offices. The Red Cross chapter presented her with the Clara Barton Award for extraordinary service, and the Youth Symphony organization created its volunteer-of-the-year award named in her honor. Until her last three years, Minerva was known for her high energy and for keeping friends and family supplied with homemade cookies. Right up to the end of her life, she entertained her caregivers and visitors alike with an endless supply of old jokes and humorous stories. She was a hands-on grandmother and great-grandmother (coining the name “GG” for herself), and was beloved by her family. Since 2004, she resided at Capital Place Retirement Inn and then at Olympics West Retirement Center before moving to the Mother Joseph facility. Although she suffered the effects of numerous falls, she hosted (and was the life of the party) at not one, but two (!) celebrations to mark her 97th birthday in 2013. Her health and cognition declined rapidly as 2013 progressed, but she enjoyed celebrating her 98th birthday just four days before her death. Minerva’s husband predeceased her by 33 years, passing on March 11, 1981. She is survived by her brother Edmund (Laverne) Budris of Arizona; by her sons Marvin L. (Teresa) Schurke of Olympia and Kenneth R. Schurke of Georgia; by six grandchildren, Peter (Stacy) Schurke, Richard Schurke, Helen (Michael) Frasier, Eric (Natalie) Schurke, Paul (Melanie Carson) Schurke and Elisabeth (Santiago) Herrera; and by seven great grandchildren, ages 1-7. Minerva couldn’t play an instrument or carry a tune when singing, but she adored music. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials and remembrances be made to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church organ and senior choir programs. Please leave memories of Minerva or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.