Carl S. Kurek, age 55 of Lake Station passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015. He was born on September 3, 1959 to the late Carl and Marion Kurek. He graduated from River Forest High School in 1977. Carl worked at A & K Railroad Materials in Gary for over 34 years and was a Lake Station resident for over 30 years. He attended St. Francis Xavier Church in Lake Station. He enjoyed playing the guitar and was a musical enthusiast and Blue's fan. Carl was a regular attendee at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago and also contributed articles and photographs to their magazine. Carl always made it known how important family was to him, it can be seen in one of his last posts on Facebook: "You can have all the money in the world and not be as rich as I am! My riches branch out into a family tree."

Carl is survived by his wife of over 33 years, Rina Kurek (nee Yanez) of Lake Station, IN; one son, Carl M. (Briana) Kurek of Portage, IN; one daughter, Rachel A. Kurek of Lake Station, IN; one grandson, Madden M. Kurek "Papa's Little Buddy" of Lake Station, IN; and one sister, Marilyn Kurek of Hobart, IN.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Marion Kurek, his father and mother-in-law, Rene and Rebecca Yanez.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family, who will use the funds to benefit various local organizations he was passionate about giving to.

Funeral services are Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart with Rev. David Kime officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Portage. Visitation is Friday, May 1, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a prayer vigil at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. Call (219) 942-2109 or visit us online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.