Anita Gurda

Madison: Anita "Nita" Gurda, age 98, passed away on March 19, 2018. Beloved wife of the late George Gurda. Born in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, May 21, 1919 to Fred and Hazel (Miller) Hanneman.

After graduating from Mt. Horeb High School in 1937, 'Nita attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where she majored in Home Economics, graduating in 1941. As an undergrad, she sang in the University Singers, and played flute in the school's orchestra and women's band. 'Nita was "instrumental" in the admission of the first women to the university's all-male concert band in 1939; she was one of the first three selected for the group and once mused that maybe she was an early women's libber. She was a member of the Phi Mu sorority, and an honorary member of the professional home economics sorority, Phi Upsilon Omicron. 'Nita taught at DeForest High School for several years, covering home economics and other subjects as needed during the war, and organizing school social events.

'Nita and George were married June 3, 1943. After the war, they settled in Madison's Crestwood cooperative community, where they raised their three children and had a large garden. 'Nita was active in helping her community through Brownies and Girl Scouts, teaching flute lessons, creating menus for the Highlands Mendota Beach (now Crestwood) School, and serving as an election poll worker. She enjoyed playing her flute as a member of the Schubert Club and sang in a community choir. With her home economics background, she enjoyed trying the latest recipes and cooking gadgets. She also occasionally assisted her father's business, Cave of the Mounds. George passed away in 2002, and 'Nita continued to live in Crestwood for many years, reaching a total of 65 years of residence before moving to assisted living.

'Nita and George enjoyed traveling to their beloved Great Smoky Mountains National Park area in the spring and fall, where they knew most of the backroads and Anita was skilled at finding wildflowers for George to photograph. A self-appointed family historian, 'Nita was also a lifelong stamp collector; she further enjoyed knitting, sewing, gardening, bird watching, reading, baking holiday stollen for family and friends, and tackling a variety of daily word and number puzzles, even learning Sudoku in her late 80's. She watched reruns of Lawrence Welk and her favorite British comedies until the end. 'Nita was known for her handwritten correspondence with family, friends and international pen friends. Devoted to nature, 'Nita donated a wooded lot adjacent to Brigham County Park, a favorite location where many family picnics were held, to Dane County to expand the park.

'Nita was confirmed in 1932, and was a member of Luther Memorial Church in Madison, where for many years she sang in the choir. She also sang for many weddings and funerals in the area.

'Nita is survived by her three children, Mary Marks (Wally), Bob Gurda (Betty Craig), and Jeanne Gurda. She is further survived by grandchildren Patty (Kemal) Safyurek, Sara Marks, Amanda Marks, Lydia Borowicz, Alex Borowicz, Dan (Molly Fellenz) Musser, Scott (Brooke Schneider) Musser; four great grandchildren; sister-in-law Rosemarie Stack (Alvin); nieces Eileen Hanneman-Sromovsky (Larry) and Marianne Ewig; nephews Alan Pesch, Fred (Sherry) Pesch, Greg (Andrea) Stack, John (Sonja) Gurda, Paul Gurda and Mike Gurda; special cousins Norene Cowling and Lori (John) Pharo, and Norene's niece Cathy Cowling; and her dear friend Margaret Sommers. Anita was predeceased by her husband, parents, infant sister Hazel, brother Frederick "Bud" Hanneman, sister-in-law Lorraine Hanneman, brother-in-law Arthur Gurda, sister-in-law Clarice Gurda, sister-in-law Eleanor Pesch, brother-in-law Raymond Pesch, niece Susan Gurda, nephew Richard Hanneman and good friend Esther Lawton.

The family gives thanks and love to the Brookdale Senior Living Century Avenue community--residents and their families, caregivers and volunteers--for bringing love, happiness, joy, laughter and community to 'Nita, both as she adjusted to a move from her beloved Crestwood home, and through her final years; to Joann Maciorowski and Dave Comello for their assistance and friendship to Mom, and to Agrace Hospice for their care in the last months.

A memorial gathering will be held on June 2, 2018 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Cress Center, 6021 University Ave, Madison.
Memorials appreciated to: The Nature Conservancy-Wisconsin Chapter, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Mount Horeb Area Historium, or charity of your choice. Please share your memories of Nita.

Cress Center
6021 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-8406