Nathalie "Nat" Jurasek

Nathalie “Nat” (Reiland) Jurasek died on October 9, 2017 at home after a cancer diagnosis in August. Born on January 5, 1934 in Stockton, Illinois to Nicholas and Alice Mohan Reiland. After graduation from Stockton High School, Nat moved to Rockford where eventually her parents and several siblings resided. She married John Jurasek on May 1, 1954. He preceded her in death on April 18, 1995. In her early years, she was employed at Gunite and Adams Letter Service. Many years were spent staying at home with her children before returning to work at Woodward, which she was very proud of. She felt fortunate to spend many happy fulfilling years at Woodward where she was known for her hard work, fashionable wardrobe and desire to mentor young professionals. Nat retired in 1999 anxious to be a full time grandma. She was thrilled to spend the years ahead shuttling the grandkids to hockey practice, dance class, soccer practice and anything else they felt like doing. She looked forward to school functions, camp programs, recitals and games to support her kids and grandkids. Not a fan of travel, clubs or hobbies that took her away from home, she loved cooking and sewing for her family, decorating her home (especially around the holidays), yardwork, reading, rescuing nativity sets and rosaries from rummage sales, and antiquing. You could always count on her to help a family member or friend regardless of the circumstances. She taught by example-using humor (often off color) to get through life’s challenges, supporting those in need and putting one foot in front of the other when the going got tough. Nat was a friend of Bill W for 41 years. She was a faithful member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and a former member of the Ladies of St. Bernadette. She will be remembered as a compassionate, independent, brave, intelligent, stylish spirit.
Nathalie is survived by her children, John (Sara Hoecker) Jurasek, Ann Sammons, Nancy (Kevin) Talmadge and Stacey Corey; grandchildren, Holly Sammons, Nathan Talmadge, Gracie and Sam Hoecker. Predeceased by parents, Nicholas and Alice Reiland, husband, John Jurasek, siblings, Jean Reiland, Jim and Josephine Reiland, Kathleen and Doc Prenot, Nicholas and Hilda Reiland II and Barbara Reiland; former son-in-law, Jeffrey Sammons, extended members of the Reiland and Jurasek families and dear friends she truly missed, Joe and Dorothy Bosi.
Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the church on Friday. Memorials may be made in Nat’s name to St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2300 Bell Avenue, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, assisted the family. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.