Obit: Hurtis, Gilbert James (1926 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hurtis, Kalal, Lang, Pollak, Skrzypchak

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 1/30/2017

Hurtis, Gilbert “Gib” James (4 MAY 1926 - 28 JAN 2017)

Gilbert “Gib” James Hurtis, age 90, passed into eternity in his Savior Jesus's arms on January 28th.

He was born May 4, 1926, to George and Sarah (Pollak) Hurtis on the family farm in rural Chetek, Wisconsin.

He graduated in 1944 from Chetek High School. After graduation, he picked potatoes in the fields of North Dakota. He then took a truck driving job with Bloomer Truck and Shovel. In the winter months, he delivered milk to Texas and eggs to Fort Benning, Georgia. He operated a backhoe during the spring and summer months. In the spring of 1949 he was operating a shovel, digging trenches for sewer and water, in Granton, Wisconsin. It was there he met Darlene Nowack. The two were married on August 18, 1950, and had 6 children.

In 1951, Gib and Darlene moved to Marathon where Gib started driving a bulk fuel truck for Herman Severin under the franchise of Standard Oil. In 1954, he purchased the business and founded Hurtis Oil/Hurtis Heating and Air.

Being new to the Marathon area, Gib joined a bowling league to help him get acquainted with people in and around the Marathon area. In the summer, he played fast pitch softball for the Marathon City League that traveled throughout Marathon County. In 1957, at the Marathon Centennial, Gib won first place in the beard contest. Gib served on the Marathon City Fire Department, the Board of the Rib Falls Methodist Church, and coached Little League in Marathon for 14 years while his sons played ball. He was an avid spectator for music and sports that his children and grandchildren participated in, and remained a spectator for many years following their graduation. Gib enjoyed playing his accordion and harmonica at family gatherings.

Gib enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, his favorite being crappie fishing with a fly rod. He most enjoyed deer hunting with his sons, grandsons, and lifelong friend, Merlin Sonnentag. Together they shot numerous deer, including several trophy bucks. He made several trips to Wyoming to hunt mule deer and antelope.

Gib and Darlene were members of the Marathon Square Dance Club and enjoyed Polka dancing together on many occasions. After retiring Gib and Darlene traveled to 48 states and the Virgin Islands. The highlight of their trips was in 2006. While accompanied by 2 of their children and 2 of their grandchildren, they took a trip to his father and mother's homeland in Slovakia. While there, they met many Hurtis relatives and were able to visit the birth place of his father and mother, as well as the grave sites of his paternal grandparents. They also spent time in Vienna and Prague.

Gib was an active member of Highland Community Church and enjoyed Bible Study with their Care Group.

Survivors besides his wife, are children, Lyn (Roland) Skrzypchak, Marathon; Sandra (Donald) Lang, Roscoe, Illinois; Larry (Joan) Hurtis, Tomahawk; James (Lisa) Hurtis, Wausau; Brian (Heidi) Hurtis, Wausau; Bruce (Pamela) Hurtis, Marathon, 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Margaret Kalal, brothers Elmer and Arthur, and grandson Bill Lang.

The family would like to thank the special people, who along with his wife, cared for him in his last days here. Special thanks to Rachele Greenwood, Shinae Reynolds, R.N., Chaplain Joy Nelson-Jeffers, Terry Delavan, R.N., and Jordan Long of Interim Health Care, Gary Carr, Jannette Wendlandt, Debbie Marzynski, Heather Ward, Alicia Underwood, R.N., Pastor Brian Whitaker and all the Pastors of Highland Community Church. Thank you to the many family and friends who brought meals and offered prayers for our family.

Visitation and services will be held at Highland Community Church, 1005 N. 28th Ave., Wausau. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5th and again on Monday, February 6th from 9:00 a.m. to time of services at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will be in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. 

Memorials may be directed to the Edgar/Marathon Circle of Joy, Highland Community Church, Interim Healthcare Hospice.