Mark J. Jurgens

Mark J. Jurgens, 58, of rural Filley, died at his home unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. He was born on June 23, 1956, at Beatrice, grew up in the Filley area and graduated from Filley High School in 1974.

He farmed with his dad and also worked at the Filley Tavern. He married Burdette Schoen and they had one child, Sabrina. After their divorce, he was married to Deb Rathbun to which Tiffany was born and they were later divorced.

He worked for Caspers Construction of Beatrice as a construction crew foreman and was then at Topps Mechanical at Tecumseh. At the time of his death, he was self-employed as a traveling contractor. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell and had received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award. He took pride in all of his work.

He loved hunting, fishing, Westerns, hanging out in the man shed entertaining anyone who stopped and all left with bellies full. He was a jokester and put a smile on everyone's face. He especially loved spending time playing games with his daughters and granddaughter.

Survivors include the love of his life, Tiffany Wright of Filley; two daughters, Sabrina Jurgens of Beatrice and Tiffany Jurgens of Lincoln; granddaughter, Nora Jurgens of Beatrice; brother, Alan (Jake) Jurgens and wife Tracy of Plymouth; sister, Julia Lenners and her husband Michael of Beatrice; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry M. Jurgens and Joan Parde Jurgens Witt and a step-father, Fred Witt.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell, with Pastor Jerry Gilbreath, officiating. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery of rural Pickrell.

A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with Alan and Sheryl Wiese in charge. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice from noon Sunday until 9 p.m. Monday and at the church one hour preceding the services on Tuesday. The family requests casual dress especially camouflage. The family will meet and greet friends and family at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. A guestbook for signatures and messages of condolence is available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice in charge of arrangements.