Avis L. Jurvis (1924-2015)

Avis Lorraine Jurvis, age 91, passed away peacefully after a brief illness, with her daughter Bobbi by her side, at Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie on November 4^th 2015.

Born in Kenosha on June 7^th, 1924, Avis was the daughter of Walter and Adriana (Van Hogerhuis) Lane. On September 27^th 1947, she was united in marriage with Robert Jurvis at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She and Bob would raise five children together.

Avis was a natural athlete. As a girl, she could beat all the boys in running and before they were married, she and Bob were active with the Physical Culture Club, where they did tumbling and weight lifting among other fitness activities. She was a Champion diver who missed out on competing in the Olympics because of World War II. She taught many children to swim as an instructor at the KYF and family legend has it that Avis once appeared in a movie as Esther Williams’ diving double.

Avis enjoyed traveling to visit with her children and grandchildren. She loved bowling and golf and watching sports and always looked forward to her Athena Club meetings where she socialized with her friends. She had a lot of dogs in her life and kept a place in her heart for all of them.

She worked a few jobs outside of the home, most notably for her friend Dr. Michael Rizzo. Avis was a happy and giving person who loved to dance and appreciated the small joys in life. She was a longtime member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Avis is survived by her five children, Roberta Pfeiffer, Rock (Lynn) Jurvis, Rick (Linda) Jurvis, Jeff (Natalie) Jurvis, and Carrie (Kenny) Brever and by her grandchildren Jeff Pfeiffer, Robin (Steve) Anderson, Bryanna (Craig) Royal, Megan (Jake Pasterski) Jurvis, Brooke (Everett Alley) Jurvis, Amanda Jurvis, Amy Jurvis, Becky Jurvis, Jack Barber, Joseph Barber and Mitch Brever. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Carson, Melia, Cannon, Knox, Ivan, Inga, Brayden and Bailey and by her “grand-dogs” Neely, Hogan and Walter.

Preceding Avis in death was her husband Bob, her parents, her sister Marjorie Bender and her son-in-law Charles Pfeiffer.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 7^th 2015 at 3:00PM in the Kemper Center Founders Hall. (6501-3^rd Avenue) Visitation with the family will be on Saturday in Founders Hall from 2:00PM until the time of services. Private burial will take place at a later date at St. George Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and healthcare workers at Aurora Hospital who cared for Avis so lovingly and the staff at Hospice Alliance for their many kindnesses.

In lieu of flowers memorials to either Safe Harbor Humane Society (Kenosha County) or the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

“You are my sunshine.”