1-28-2023 3:15pm

Steve Pulkrabek was a manufacturing engineer, then a Catholic deacon

Steve Pulkrabek, 74, of Roscoe, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023. He was killed in a head-on two-vehicle crash at the 9700 block of Route 76, north of Belvidere.

Steve was born on November 30, 1948, in Silver Lake, Minnesota, pop. 600. He began his life on the family farm. He had a life-long love of animals and an appreciation for a hard day’s work

Steve married his wife Jeanne on November 6, 1971, in Waconia, Minnesota. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2021.

The couple joined St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit in 1993. Steve was ordained as a deacon in 2010. He said it was one of the best days of his life. His service was welcomed by the church community of St. Mary’s/St Patrick’s in Durand, IL.

Steve spent many of his working years as a manufacturing engineer. Following his retirement, he volunteered at Beloit Hospice Care, Jail Ministry, St. Vincent DePaul and was a member of Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, children Bill Pulkrabek, (Joclyn), Kathy Pulkrabek, and Adam Pulkrabek (Jenny Tranmer) and grandchildren Joey, Zach and Danny Pulkrabek.

Steve is predeceased by parents George and Betty Pulkrabek, brother Lorin and in-laws Joseph and Loretta Straus.

A visitation and rosary were held at McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel, on January 26, 2023. A funeral mass was held at St. Mary’s Church in Durand, on January 27, with burial at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Durand. You can watch videos of each ceremony, plus a memorial video, on the McCorkle website.

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