header 1
header 2
header 3

Mary Irving Jurgaitis

Profile Updated: August 19, 2023
Residing In:
Greenfield, WI USA
Spouse/Partner:
Mark J Jurgaitis
Occupation:
teacher, homemaker, office worker, now retired
Children:
Jonathan was born in 10-1972 while we were living in Racine. He now lives in Cottonwood Heights, UT More…- just 20 minutes from a resort where he can do his favorite sport - snowboarding. Aaron was born in 05-1974 while we were living in Whitewater . He now lives in Lakewood CO with his wife, two daughters and one son. Joshua was born in 01-76 while we were living in Whitewater. He now lives in Sparks, NV with his wife and two sons and two daughters. Elisabeth was born in 07-1978 while we were living in Madison. She now lives in West Allis with her husband and two sons. Sarah was born in 02-1980 while we were living in Batavia, IL. She now lives in Albuquerque, NM. She runs marathons and ultramarathons. Adam was born in 09-1981 while we were living in Batavia, IL. He now lives in Sycamore, IL with his wife and two sons.
Comments:

I graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1965 with a B.Ed in elementary education. I loved being at Whitewater. Along with all the other good things that happened there, I joined the Delta Zeta sorority and met my husband-to-be. After graduating, I taught 3rd grade at Harvey elementary in Kenosha. My husband-to-be moved to San Francisco during that year and that's where we got married (1966). We lived in San Francisco for a year. I taught 50 fifth graders in a parochial school in South San Francisco. In 1967 we decided to move back to Wisconsin. (YUP, I left my heart in San Francisco – even though we now know that it was best we didn't stay there.) I taught at Jefferson elementary in Kenosha for 1 year, then took a year off of teaching. I went back and taught at Somers elementary for the next three years. I loved it there. During that time my husband got his bachelor's degree from UW-Parkside and son #1 was born. After graduating, he decided he wanted to get his masters and was accepted at UW-Whitewater. Because of my experience as an RA during my undergrad years, I was hired as a Hall Director for the 2 years my husband was going to school (son #2). Then we spent some time waiting for a job (son #3).
A job offer took us to Madison where we lived for 2+ years (daughter #1). Then a job offer took us to Batavia, Illinois for a few years (daughter #2 and last child, son #4) and a move into our first house in St. Charles, Illinois. My husband started his own business while in Batavia. I was a stay-at-home mom from the birth of our first child until our last, and 6th child, started 1st grade. I did not want to go back to teaching and just by luck got an office job with the Girl Scout Council out of Aurora, Illinois. This is where I learned my computer skills.
In 1993 we decided to go looking for a little business to run somewhere. That search took us to Neillsville, Wisconsin (up nort to a lot of people – yes that is the correct spelling). It is beautiful here among the forests of Clark County. We've lived here for 16 years. During that time I've had various & sundry office jobs. I am currently working the front desk of the our small hospital/emergency room here in Neillsville from 10pm – 6am four nights a week. I have had this job for 7 years. It has been wonderful for me. Many of the departments found that I had some valuable computer skills. I love the variety of work they give me to do while I sit overnight waiting for anyone to come into the emergency room and doing the mundane tasks of alphabetizing daily paper work and filing. I am still working because it feeds my habit of wanting to visit my grandchildren (oh, and my children, too.)
And I'm a Mormon. My husband and I became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1971 while we were living in Racine. It has brought great joy to our lives. We are both very active in the church. I have served in many leadership positions for the children, the young women, the adult women and Cub Scouts. I have been a teacher for every age group. Currently I am responsible for public relations involving eight units of the church within a 100 mile radius of Wausau, Wisconsin. Keeps us very busy and we love it.
Life has been good!

UPDATE as of July 9, 2012: forgot it was even my birthday until people started wishing me Happy Birthday. I was so wrapped up in my 30-year old son having had a heart valve replaced on June 29 and my daughter, Sarah, getting married on July 7. (Last of my 6 children to get married.)

School Story:

I remember: helping out with a school play; being involved in campaigning for the homecoming queen (who else but Suzette?); the Friday night basketball games (it was just as much fun being with friends, stomping our feet, clapping and cheering as it was watching our “favorite” player); the football games at Lake Front Stadium (bundling up and feeling autumn in the air); having to change clothes in front of e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e after swim class; the daily bus ride to and from school from out on 39th Avenue (and the friends I made on the bus); being able to go downtown during lunch; walking back & forth between the annex and the school building (and wondering if I'd ever be brave enough to go down the tube-never did); having a good circle of friends and only having to go to Mr. Stoker's office once (and that was for some uneventful thing). I'm grateful for it all!

Mary's Latest Interactions

Hide Comments
Mary Irving Jurgaitis posted a message. New comment added.
Apr
13
Apr 13, 2024 at 10:23 AM

Posted on: Apr 12, 2024 at 10:49 AM

Good grief!! I missed your special day. (Hope it was as special as you are.) Have a great year to come. Stay active.

Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on her Profile.
Apr
09
Apr 09, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on her Profile.
Apr
06
Apr 06, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Apr
05
Apr 05, 2024 at 1:10 PM

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday on this, your SPECIAL day !!

Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on James Szantor's Video. New comment added.
Mar
18
Mar 18, 2024 at 7:42 PM

Posted on: Mar 18, 2024 at 11:08 AM

Mary Irving Jurgaitis posted a message. New comment added.
Mar
05
Mar 05, 2024 at 10:09 PM

Posted on: Mar 05, 2024 at 10:42 AM

My birthday wishes for you today … have a sweet, and great day. May there be much joy in your life for the year to come. Love, Mary.

Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on her Profile.
Mar
02
Mar 02, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on her Profile.
Mar
01
Mar 01, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Feb
03
Feb 03, 2024 at 4:48 PM

Ann Kay, Yes, I did enjoy reading your obituary. I was pretty much out of breath by the time I got to the last period. You know, people say, "Rest In Peace." Somehow I feel you won't want to be just sitting around. Have fun and find joy in this next stage of life.

Jan
26
Jan 26, 2024 at 10:48 AM

Looks like you are sort of leading the pack with your 81st birthday. (We’ll catch up to you.) Have a happy and healthy next year of your life with your great family.

Jan 26, 2024 at 10:44 AM

Happy Birthday to a classmate who has had an amazing life so far. Keep it up. Each day brings new memories.

Jan
23
Jan 23, 2024 at 6:58 PM

Amazing what the class of ‘61. Because our class was so large, we were often like ships passing in the night. Then I get to read this about you. You certainly grabbed life by the horns. I am glad you posted all about yourself. May 2024 bring much goodness into your life!

Jan
16
Jan 16, 2024 at 2:34 PM

Would love to see the t-shirts you might have made for your =J= family!

Jan 16, 2024 at 2:33 PM

Happy Birthday to one who walked the same halls I did ever so long ago!

Jan 16, 2024 at 2:31 PM

LOVE your occupation!!

Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on her Profile.
Jan
13
Jan 13, 2024 at 6:38 PM
Mary Irving Jurgaitis added a comment on her Profile.
Jan 13, 2024 at 6:36 PM
Mary Irving Jurgaitis has left an In Memory comment for her Profile.
Jan
06
Jan 06, 2024 at 6:30 PM

I agree with what Corrine Lutter (Martin) said. I looked on him as a golden nugget on our site.

Nov
18
Nov 18, 2023 at 9:47 PM

That was a beautiful description of a wonderful life.

Mary Irving Jurgaitis has left an In Memory comment for Philip Whitaker.
Sep
15
Sep 15, 2023 at 11:07 PM

Phillip's interesting comments will be sincerely missed. It would have been interesting to be one of the "drop-ins" to help celebrate his life.

His profile was full of life. See you on the other side someday, Phillip!

Mary Irving Jurgaitis

Hide Comments
Posted: Aug 19, 2023 at 4:24 PM
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 1:02 AM
Our six children. Those two boys still do that kind of stuff when they have their picture taken.
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 1:02 AM
The beginnings of our grandchildren.