In Memory of

Lucille

M

Sirk

(Madorin)

Obituary for Lucille M Sirk (Madorin)

Lucille Madorin Sirk, age 94 years, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away Saturday, May 26 at Stonehill Care Center.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 31 at 11 AM at Temple Beth El, 475 W. Locust, Dubuque, IA conducted by Rabbi Jim Sagarin. A luncheon will follow. She will be buried at a later date next to her husband in San Diego, California.

Lucee was born June 18, 1923 in Tefft, Indiana She grew up in Chicago and went to Hirsch High School. She then spent one semester at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and then transferred to the University of Illinois in Champaign, where she was introduced to Arnie Sirk. He was the love of her life. They married in December, 1943 and spent 61 ½ very happy years together until he passed away in June, 2005.

From the time she got married, she committed herself to her husband and family. Arnie and Lucee had two children, Randy and Cindy (Pearce). After Arnie got out of the Air Force at the end of WWII, they moved to Chicago and raised their children there. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Lucee became an amazing volunteer and philanthropist. She was a shining example of someone who cared about the underdog. She was constantly busy with family, extracurricular activities, and not-for-profit involvement.

She became very active in the National Council of Jewish Women and became president of the Chicago Chapter. Having not finished college, she decided in her 40’s to go back to school and Lucee received her Bachelors degree at age 50.

In 1978, Arnie decided to move his business to Dubuque and so they moved to Galena and built a house on Pilot Knob. They really embraced living in the country, growing an extensive garden and canning their produce. Lucee continued her charitable efforts and was instrumental in the creation of the Family Center, a place for mothers and children to gather and learn in Galena.

When Arnie retired at 68 years old, they moved to San Diego, California. Oh what a wonderful life they had there. They made many new friends, got involved in the temple there, and loved that chapter of their lives.

At age seventy-five, she decided she wanted her nickname to be Lucee, not Lucy, and not Lucille! She was so vibrant, always thinking!

In addition to her involvement in volunteer causes, Lucee enjoyed participation in many activities over the years. She spent many years playing tennis and golf at the Dubuque Golf and Country Club and other places in Chicago and San Diego, and she loved to play bridge, especially duplicate. She and Arnie enjoyed traveling and went to many places around the world, including Africa, Korea, Thailand, Russia, and Australia.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Randy (Teresa) Sirk and Cindy (Brett) Pearce; and her grandchildren, Denise Mann, Brad Sirk, Erik Sirk and her step-grandson, Jim Mikel, Jr.; and her two great granddaughters, Taylor and Alexa Mann.

She was predeceased by her husband Arnie and by her step-granddaughter, Deborah Mikel Wood, in 2010.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Temple Beth El, P. O. Box 185, Dubuque, IA 52004-0185.

The family wants to express a special thank you to the staff at Stonehill who took such good care of Lucee for more than 3 yeas. And also a special thanks to the staff at Oak Park Place who were so kind to her for three years prior.

Her smile and loving personality will be deeply missed. We will cherish the memories of her.