Jurk

Jurk Funeral services for Carol Jurk, 85, of Warda, were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda with Rev. Dustin Beck officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Carol Joan Riske Jurk was born on Sept. 12, 1940, in La Grange to Louis and Ida Mae (Zwernemann) Riske. She was baptized on Oct. 1, 1940, into the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. G.W. Fisher. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School and was later confirmed on April 11, 1954, also at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. Robert Studtmann. Carol’s confirmation verse was Rev. 2-10 “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life”. Carol grew up in Giddings, Lincoln, Serbin and Pasadena, graduating from High School there in 1958. She was united in marriage to the love of her life William Jurk on Nov. 1, 1958, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church by Rev. Walter Bielefeldt. Their union was blessed with three children. Carol worked as a secretary and bookkeeper first in Houston at AM International, later in Stafford at Diehl Newton Lumber and lastly at US Operating, retiring there after 21 years. She was also an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Ladies Aid. Carol was known as being both an excellent cook and baker, always feeding not only her husband and children but often her entire extended family. Her grandchildren and their friends always said they never left her house hungry. Our lovely Mother always had the most beautiful gardens, her yards and flowers were unsurpassed. She was honored with yard of the month many times. While at Disneyland her grandson commented that the flowers were pretty but they didn’t even compare to Grannys. Additionally, she was an excellent seamstress. Carol and William loved to dance, they also liked to travel with their travel trailer, hitting the antique markets, taking bus trips with their friends, and traveling to Germany. She also enjoyed reading and completing crossword puzzles.

Our beloved Mother peacefully passed into the gates of Heaven in the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, as she was surrounded by family at Bec’s Blessing in Giddings. We will always miss her and the wonderful way she showed her love for us. She will always be in our hearts.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Jurk; her parents Louis and Ida Mae Riske; her brother, Colonel Robert Riske; her son-in-law, Lane Patterson; her brotherin- law, Kenny Frank, and her sister-in-law Joyce Kingsbery.

Carol is survived by her children, Michelle and husband Michael Dunk of Warda, Robert and wife Cheryl Jurk of Manheim, and Russell and wife Laurie Jurk of Ledbetter; six grandchildren, Sam and wife Shannon Jacob of Smithville, Morgan and wife Rayanne Patterson of Smithville, Miranda and husband Josh Goehring of Manheim, Cameron and wife Elizabeth Jurk of College Station, Ashley and husband Guillermo Serrano of Houston, and Richard and wife Michelle Jurk of Houston; seven great grandchildren, Gunter Jacob of Smithville, Grant Jacob of Smithville, Gavin Jacob of Smithville, Katherine Patterson of Smithville, Benjamin Jurk of College Station, Anthony Serrano of Houston, and William Serrano of Houston; four siblings, Kay and husband Frank Brown of Lake Whitney, Glenn and wife Sara Riske of Texas City, Linda Frank of New Ulm; Cheryl Evans of League City; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dolores Riske of Georgetown, Jerry Kingsbery of Warda, Allan Gene and wife Carolyn Jurk of Lampasas, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Serving as pallbearers were Sam Jacob, Morgan Patterson, Cameron Jurk, Richard Jurk, Gunter Jacob, and Paul Boitmann. Honorary pallbearers will be Miranda Goehring, Ashley Serrano, Charles Newton, Tim Newton, Gavin Jacob, Grant Jacob, Benjamin Jurk, Katherine Patterson, Anthony Serrano, and William Serrano.

Special thanks go out to the wonderful people at Bec’s Blessing, ATEX Hospice and Mother’s doctor Wes Blackwell.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran High School, the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.