Michael T. Gaurke

Michael T. Gaurke, 66, passed away surrounded by his loving family on January 7, 2020. He was born on July 8,1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of Robert and June (Scholtka) Gaurke. A graduate of Concordia High School and Milwaukee Area Technical College, soon after he met the love of his life, Susan Tylinski and they married on August 18, 1979. In 1982 they moved to Rockford and became avid members of St. Rita Catholic Church, where Michael became a member of the St. Rita Council 7624 Knights of Columbus. He retired as a sales man from Patterson Dental after 35 years. He was a handy man, he loved to fix cars, computers and was proud to be able to take care of his house. He was an avid sports watcher, whether that be the Wisconsin Badger football or basketball teams, any of the Boylan Catholic High School sports, and of course, the Green Bay Packers. He would go to the YMCA five days of the week and would participate in Pedal for Parkinson’s, some days even reaching up to 13 miles. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
He will be missed by those who loved him most, his wife of 40 years; daughter Ashley (Michael “Mike”) Beier and son Drew (MaryKatherine) Gaurke; grandchild Austin and grandpuppy Wrigley; Sister Susan (Greg) Lamando; Sisters-in-law Nancy (Dave) Enders and Diane Tylinski; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Dennis Gaurke and his brother-in-law Mark Tylinski.
There will be a visitation for Michael on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Funeral Services will take place the following day, Monday, January 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Drive, Rockford, Illinois 61109. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Parkinsons Foundation or St. Rita Catholic Church/School.