John ‘Jack’ W. and Aura Lee Irion (Turek) Furgason

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of two very special people, John ‘Jack’ W. and Aura Lee Irion (Turek) Furgason. Jack was born in Louisville, KY on April 14, 1948, and died in Lincoln, NE on November 2, 2022, at the age of 74. Aura Lee was born in Chicago, IL on February 14, 1935, and died in Lincoln, NE on October 27, 2024, at the age of 89. (Yes, there was a 13-year age difference but that didn’t matter to their hearts and souls.)

Aura Lee married Joseph Turek on September 26, 1953. They had 3 children and although they divorced, they both recognized the importance of family, and they remained friends until Dad’s passing in 2011.

Aura Lee came to Lincoln in the spring of 1973 and her children joined her later that year. Aura Lee and Jack met in the fall of 1973, bonding over their love of White Castle hamburgers, their shared musical interests, and playing Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. After a long courtship, they were married on November 28, 1981.

Jack’s career was data analyst for the State of Nebraska. During the Vietnam War, he served in the USAF as a radio operator in Greenland. Mom’s career was as a Medical Records Administrator, working primarily for Lincoln Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Center. She received a bachelor’s degree from College of Saint Mary in Omaha.

Since the mid-70s, they have been active in the Unitarian Church of Lincoln, serving in various capacities. One of Mom’s was being the faithful attendant of the Wayside Pulpit in the front yard of the church at 6900 ‘A’ Street. Jack was well known for lending a helping hand at a wide variety of activities. Over the years, each of them had also spent time serving on various committees.

Together, Jack and Aura Lee enjoyed hosting potluck dinners, traveling throughout the U.S., taking annual trips to the Walnut Valley (Bluegrass) Festival in Winfield, KS and attending Camp UniStar in Northern Minnesota.

Jack’s hobbies included volunteering at Bryan Hospital, bowling, playing board games, and graciously being Mom’s travel coordinator and driver. Aura Lee’s hobbies included singing, beginning in her high school choir to participating in Shape Note Singing events, as well as in the church choir and multiple community choirs. She also enrolled in OLLI classes and was involved with Lincoln Literacy. She was a life-long, avid letter writer and added the feature of hand-crafted greeting cards later in life.

Jack and Aura Lee are each preceded in death by their parents; their sweet kitty, Eva; Jack’s siblings; and members of Aura Lee’s extended family. Aura Lee was an only child but was fortunate to become friends with another only child in her neighborhood, Helen Wild. They shared each other’s lives as ‘sisters’ until Mom’s passing, a friendship that endured for 80 years.

They are survived by Aura Lee’s three children, all in Lincoln; Dale Turek, Amy Turek, and Jennifer (Dan) Hicks; 4 beloved grandchildren and 9 precious great-grandchildren; as well as a multitude of dear friends, both near and far. We are all proud to be part of her vibrant legacy.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at the Unitarian Church, 6300 ‘A’ St, Lincoln, NE on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Private interment will be at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials, which will be distributed to a variety of organizations valued by Jack and Aura Lee.

The family would like to express our most sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful employees, and especially the caretakers, of Legacy Terrace, The Independence Houses Northview, Sumner Place, and Emerald Brookside Nursing Home. We also have deep gratitude for the knowledgeable and gentle staff of AseraCare Hospice and Traditions Health Hospice. Blessings to you all.