Michael Safranek, 65

IOWA CITY - Michael Burrowes Safranek, age 65 of Chicago, Ill., formerly of Iowa City, died at home on Sunday, August 6.  He was born in Cresco to John O. and Jean nee Burrowes Safranek.  
An Eagle Scout, he graduated from DeWitt Central Community High School in 1976. Michael graduated in 1980 from Winona State University with a BSN.  He worked at Alverno Nursing Facility in DeWitt, Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis and eventually relocated to Iowa City where he worked for 19 years at University of Iowa Hospitals in the Neurology, Neurosurgery and Stroke Unit.  Following the death of his first partner, Tim Jacobs, Michael relocated to Chicago to be with his partner and future husband, Jim Statler.  In Chicago, Michael worked for 13 years for the Diamond Headache Unit of St. Joseph Hospital before retiring in 2016.  
 Michael was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, great uncle and friend.  Known as the family historian and genealogist as well as keeper of the family treasures, Michael enjoyed travel, gardening, antiquing and entertaining friends.  
He is survived by his husband of 22 years, Jim Statler of Chicago, brother John (Nancy) Safranek of Puyallup, Wash.  Uncle of John Allan (Meg) Safranek of Seattle, Matthew (Heather) Safranek of Park City, Utah, Peter Safranek (Meg McCarthy) of Puyallup, Wash., Damon (Autuam) Safranek of Tucson, Ariz., Darren (Jessica) Safranek of Tucson, Ariz. and Thomas Krueger of Santa Barbara, Calif.  Loving great uncle of Gwyneth, Amelia, Hudson, Lola and Madeline Safranek.  Nephew of Carolyn Harger of Libertyville, Ill. and Susan and Kenneth Schoeneck of Bethlehem, Penn., and Helen Burrowes of Vincennes, Ind., Brother-in-law of Monica Dotson of Tucson, Ariz. and Deborah and Edward Waida of Washington, NC.   
Visitation will be Sunday, August 13  from 4-8 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Services, 10045 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, Illinois 60077.  Funeral Service Monday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4550 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago.
To virtually attend Michael’s service to  https://www.facebook.com/allsaintschicago and click videos.  Interment private at Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. IA.  Memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 4550 North Hermitage, Chicago 60640 or Ravenswood Community Services at the same address.   

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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