Gary J. Kurka, son of Charles and Vera (Faltus) Kurka, was born September 19, 1955 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. He attended Minnesota Bible College in Rochester, Minnesota receiving his degree in Religion and Biblical Studies. Gary was united in marriage to Mary Jo Burch on December 27, 1975 in Sheldon, Wisconsin. He served as a pastor in churches in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota. Gary also taught school, coached basketball, and worked for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was very devoted to the care of his wife Mary Jo who battled ALS for 14 years before her death on September 6, 2011. Gary was currently serving as the pastor of Preston Christian Church near Bruce, South Dakota. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2013 and died on Friday, August 30, 2013 in Sioux Falls at the age of 57 years. Gary's main passion in life was sharing Jesus Christ with others. He also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, music, watching his sons play sports and making Christmas wreaths as gifts to others. Gary can be described as a person who loved talking to people, lending a helping hand and was a friend to all he met. Grateful for having shared his life are his fiancé Luann Hughbanks of Bruce; one daughter Sara Strickfaden and her husband Kyle and their children, Grace, Noah, Jack and Kate from Norwood Young America, MN; three sons, Will of Marshall, MN, Grant and Ethan of Bruce; one brother Bob Kurka and his wife Bev of Lincoln, IL; one sister Sherry Pierson and her husband Brian of North Mankato, MN; his mother-in-law Ruth Burch of Ladysmith, WI; three brothers-in-law, Scott Burch and his wife Pauline of Eau Claire, WI, Bob Burch and his wife Dutch of Tomah, WI, Jeff Burch and his wife Brenda of Garretson, SD; one sister-in-law Chris Tippetts and her husband Brian of Holmen, WI; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo, his son James, his parents and his father-in-law Jim Burch. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Monday, September 2, 2013 at the Estelline School Gymnasium. Visitation will be from 4PM to 7PM Sunday at the Preston Christian Church, rural Bruce, South Dakota. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sheldon, Wisconsin.