Deborah Awe Jurski
June 25, 1951- November 5, 2023
· Christ follower
· Faithful friend
· Avid Reader
· Accomplished Cook
· Proficient Crafter
· Curator of a wealth of knowledge on many different subjects
· Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, friend…
Deborah June Awe was welcomed into the home of Rev. Orville and Dorothy Awe in 1951. Her brother Dean joined the family three years later. Throughout her childhood the family lived in Ohio and Illinois. She graduated from high school in Charleston, IL. Following graduation she attended Frankfort Bible School in Frankfort, Indiana where she made many lifelong friends and met her husband, Ronald Jurski.
Deb and Ron were married on June 16, 1973, and made their home in Toledo, Ohio. They have an adopted son, Todd, two grandchildren, Julian and Taylor and two great-grandchildren, Reign and Roman.
Deb lived a life of service. She and Ron served as house parents in a boys’ group home with the Lutheran Home Society for 11 years. She worked at Connecting Point, a youth homeless shelter, for a number of years, which is where she met her best friend of 39 years, Libby Troutman. They were so much alike that they were often thought to be twins.
Having grown up in a pastor’s home, Deb understood the challenges of being a pastor’s wife, a role she graciously filled. One aspect of this where she really shone was in the preparation and presentation of food – organizing potlucks and other functions. She continued this through the entirety of her life.
Deb found great solace in her friendships – abiding in their fellowship as much as possible.
Deb was a great blessing to her family as she graciously walked alongside her parents in their later years, supporting and guiding them with each move and transition.
In April 2018 Deb moved to Rapid City, SD to live closer to her brother Dean Awe and his family. She loved the Black Hills and jumped at any opportunity to drive through them and enjoy the beauty and variety.
This fall Deb spent three weeks visiting family and friends in Ohio and Indiana. She had a glorious time! Deb’s friend Lori shared a statement, made by a friend, which describes Deb’s trip perfectly, “you had that last visit with her, and it was all very natural because you didn’t know it was your last time. God knew and that’s an example of His love.” We praise God for the timing and shared joys of her trip!
At the age of 40 Deb had triple bypass surgery. Through the years her doctor would tell her that she was living on God’s borrowed time. She had a keen awareness of the great blessing He had given her 32 more years.
Deborah June Jurski was welcomed into her eternal home on November 5, 2023, realizing the promise of eternal life made possible through her faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Those who were privileged to share her life are husband Ron Jurski (Toledo, OH), son Todd Jurski (Muncie, IN), grandson Julian Jurski (Delta, OH), granddaughter Taylor Jurski and husband Antonio, great grandchildren, Reign and Roman (Toledo, OH), her brother Dean Awe and wife Lyz, (Rapid City, SD), niece Carrie Byer and husband Joshua and boys, Elijah, Josiah, Zechariah and Jeremiah (South Bend, IN), nephew Daniel Awe and wife Amanda (Rapid City, SD), many cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 am, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Word of Hope Church in Rapid City. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Toledo, OH in the spring of 2024.
