Jack F. Zurek

Jack F. Zurek (90)
Of Algonquin

Jack F. Zurek was born on April 28, 1930 in Chicago, IL to John and Harriet Zurek. He died peacefully on Saturday, January 23, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Jack grew up in Chicago and graduated from Falconer Grammar School and Foreman High School where he met the love of his life, Darlene Molls. Jack enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and proudly served his country for 21 years. Shortly after enlisting, Jack and Darlene married in Chicago and embarked on their military adventures abroad.  After retirement from the Air Force, Jack went on to work for Illinois Bell for 20 years. Along with The Telephone Pioneers of America, he was a Shriner and a lifelong Mason.

Jack was an avid photographer and videographer from a young age. He loved spending time in the north woods of Wisconsin with his family, friends, and especially his grandchildren. His grandkids brought him so much joy, he would often tear up when talking about them. He was always proudly wearing a polo that was gifted from his grandkids with their school logo or place of employment. If he wasn’t in the North Woods fishing or sitting in his boat, you could usually find him shuffling papers at the kitchen table and turning up the volume for a ball game or CNN News. He loved to tinker with model trains and planes. He was a simple man and enjoyed looking out his kitchen window watching the birds come visit the pond in his backyard. One of Jack’s recent favorite pastimes was checking in on his family’s whereabouts on his iPad. He was the best Papa.

Jack will be deeply missed by his wife, Darlene, of 68 years; children, Lynn (Don) Monsen, Larry (Maureen) Zurek; grandchildren, Tyler (Amy) Monsen, Lauren Monsen, Bridget Monsen (Austin Nirva), Kelsey and Kortney Zurek; great-grandchild Evan Monsen.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held at Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, Crystal Lake, on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 4-7pm. A service will be held at 7pm followed by military honors.

Burial will be on Saturday, January 30, at 11am at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.  Please meet at the funeral home parking lot at 10:30am to get in line for a procession to the cemetery.

In lieu of Flowers, donations in remembrance of Jack can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation at https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation in Honor of Jack’s wife Darlene at https://alzfdn.org/