Anthony "Tony" Jurek, 88, of Cloquet passed away with family by his side on Dec. 31, 2020. He was born Feb. 25, 1932, in Split Rock Township, the son of Stephen and Anna (Womniecki) Jurek.

At the tender age of 17, Tony enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949 and was deployed to Korea. He was soon captured and spent 33 months in a prisoner of war camp. After his release and honorable discharge as a sergeant, Tony married the love of his life, Marjorie Jezierski, on Sept. 10, 1955. He was a member of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion Association, was past commander of the Hebert-Kennedy VFW Post 3979 and the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard, was involved in the DAV Chapter 18, the Carl Anderson American Legion Post 262, and Bishop Welch Council Knights of Columbus. He was past president of the Cloquet Hockey Association and was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Casimir and Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He retired as a captain from the Cloquet fire department and owned and operated Jurek Siding.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Gary and James Jurek; four sisters, Mary Newton, Sophie Kaspszak, Victoria Karulak and Margaret Jurek; and three brothers, Joseph Jurek, Stanley Jurek and John Jurek.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marjorie; sons Daniel, Mark (Carol), Kevin and Todd (Debra) Jurek; one sister, Theresa Starkey; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, with interment in New Calvary Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, visit the family guestbook at http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

Pine Knot News, Jan. 8, 2021