Class of 1941
1941 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Phyllis Schurkens
Phyllis Lorraine Schurkens, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Schurkens, was born on November 11, 1924, in Perry. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy in this city until her seventh year in school.
She has been treasurer of the student council during the past year, and also was secretary of her sophomore class. She has been in the band for three years, and has taken part in the mixed chorus.
Phyllis is a member of the band’s drum ensemble, and was selected for the tri-state mass band. She was a candidate for basketball princess. her senior year in school.
She plans to attend the Oklahoma A. and M. college next year.
Phyllis Lorraine (Schurkens) Wurtz
November 11, 1924 – November 17, 2020
Phyllis Lorraine Wurtz, 96, a longtime resident of Perry, passed from this life on November 17, 2020, in Tulsa.
Phyllis was born November 11, 1924, in Perry, OK, to Henry and Wanda (Johnston) Schurkens. Phyllis attended St. Joseph Academy through sixth grade and Perry public schools from seventh through twelfth grades. She graduated from Perry High School in 1941 and attended Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater.
On November 18, 1946, she and Clarence Wurtz were married at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and they made their home in Perry. Her husband preceded her in death in 1977.
Phyllis was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose of Lima Altar Society, the Perry Alumni Association and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire leader and served as a member of the board of directors of the Cherokee Strip Historical Society and the Perry Camp Fire Council.
She worked with AAA (now Agriculture Service Center), Farmers Home Administration, Soil Conservation Service and the Noble County Draft Board.
Her daughters and their families were the loves of her life and she enjoyed spending time with them. She was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma Thunder play.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one brother, Jack.
Phyllis is survived by two daughters, Linda Sue Jackson and her husband, Gary, of Tulsa and Jean Ann Team and her husband, Steve, of Charlotte, NC; five grandsons, Geoff Jackson, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Matt Jackson and his wife, Stacie, Frisco, TX, Chris Jackson and his wife, Jennifer, Grapevine, TX, and Alex Team and Ryan Team, both of Charlotte, NC; three great-grandsons, Keegan Jackson, Frisco, TX, and Benjamin and Lucas Jackson, Grapevine, TX, and one great-granddaughter, Kylie Jackson, also of Frisco.
There will be a private graveside service held for the family. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association c/o Dighton Marler Funeral Home, PO Box 189, Perry, Oklahoma 73077.