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Wilbur J. Thurk obituary, 4/24/07


Wilbur J. Thurk, age 90, of St. Bonifacius, died Tuesday April 24, 2007 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
He was born Dec. 19, 1916 in St. Bonifacius, the son of Albert and Mary (Schuler) Thurk. Wilbur was baptized and confirmed at St Boniface Catholic Church in St. Bonifacius.
Wilbur was united in marriage to Agnes L. Boll Oct. 15, 1940 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in St. Bonifacius by the Rev. Albert Heer.
He was preceded in death by a son, Will “Punky” Thurk; granddaughter Katherine Thurk; parents Albert and Mary Thurk; and brothers and sisters, Lena Reichenberger, Mary Ebert, Walter Thurk, Elmer Thurk, Lorraine Ebert, and Clarence Thurk.
Wilbur started his working career at Ohnsorg Truck Building in Chaska. In 1942, he purchased the blacksmith shop in St. Boni from Charlie Bruhn, where he started out doing blacksmith work and shoeing horses. Shortly thereafter, he began building truck bodies, as well.
In 1952, he added the Allis Chalmers Farm Machinery Sales and Services to his business. He turned the business over to his son, Steven, in 1982, and went into semi-retirement while still working in the business.
Wilbur did his civic duty by serving as civil defense director for the area for 10 years. He served eight years as the mayor of St. Boni, and 24 years as a member of the St. Boni Fire Department, eight of those years as fire chief.
He was a partner in the St. Boni Estates, which developed 23 acres into more than 50 home sites in St. Boni.
Wilbur led a very active life, and was a wonderful, caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his loving family: wife Agnes, children and spouses Bob and Judy Thurk of Eden Prairie, Jerry Thurk of St. Bonifacius, Steve Thurk of St. Bonifacius, Teresa and Allan Feltmann of Norwood Young America, and Barbara and Michael Smith of St. Bonifacius; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Wilbur is further survived by sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Winifred Schmitt of Waconia, Harry and Flo Boll of Naples, Fla., Irene Boll of St. Bonifacius, and Ruth Boll of St. Bonifacius; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday April 26 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in St. Bonifacius with the Rev. Joseph Gallatin as celebrant of the Mass. Interment was at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.
Casket bearers were his grandsons, Paul Thurk, David Thurk, Jeff Thurk, Brian Feltmann, Charles BlackLance, and David Langer.
Arrangements were by the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia.

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