Carol E. Kurtz

Carol E. Kurtz was born to Frank and Pauline (Vinquist) Vavra in Yankton, South Dakota on November 10, 1939. At an early age she was adopted by her uncle, Harold and Dorothy (Emerson) Vinquist. Carol attended New Point School and graduated from Oregon High School in 1959. She then attended Gard Beauty College in St. Joseph.

On December 5, 1959 Carol married George Kurtz in Craig, Missouri. They became parents of four children and made their home near Oregon, Missouri. Carol was a busy mother, farmwife, cook and master gardener. It was her grandchildren, however, who gave Carol her greatest pleasure.  Above all, she wanted to create memory moments for them, and she used her talents toward that goal.

Her grandchildren will remember holiday meals straight from Carol’s kitchen, especially her tripe (hog’s stomach), moon pie, and balloon buns.  They will never forget birthday parties that she made special and personal.  They will remember the roses that she painted, the heart-shaped pillows, her Carol Kurtz Santas, the quilts that she pieced, and her home full of collected artwork and treasures.  Those grandchildren will always have her example as a landscaper and floral designer, because her flower gardens were carefully planned and meticulously maintained.  Carol’s gardens knew no boundaries (except when they encroached slightly into George’s cornfield).  In fact, her grandchildren will remember Grandma Carol and her many riding lawn mowers helping Holt County Maintenance crews keep Highway B manicured to perfection.

Carol passed away at her beloved home, surrounded by her family on December 12, 2018. She was preceded in death by her son Marlin; brothers, Paul Ward, Harry Vavra, sisters, Iva Bronkhorst and Karen Ann Vavra.

Carol is survived by her husband of 59 years, George, of their home; sons, Chris Kurtz, Oregon, Garold (Rene’) Kurtz, Mound City, Missouri, Carl Andrew Kurtz, Oregon, and former daughter-in-law, Ginette Gottswiller, Clarksdale, Missouri; brothers, Don (Mary Jo) Vinquist, Florida, Doug Davis, South Dakota, James (Gisela) Vavra, Florida; sisters-in-law, Anita Ward, St. Joseph, Sue Winslow, St. Joseph, and Elaine (Al) Broce, St. Joseph, grandchildren, Clayton (Amanda) Kurtz, Lonna (Tim) McCourt, Dallas Kurtz, Miles (Amanda J.) Kurtz, Jake (Sarah) Kurtz, Ashley Kurtz-Vidal, Kelton Kurtz, Seth Kurtz; great grandchildren, Mariana Kurtz, Blakely McCourt, and Tinley McCourt; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Services: ‪3:00 pm Saturday, December 15‬, 2018, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon.‬ Interment at the Kurtz Family Cemetery. Family visitation will follow the services.

Friends may sign the register book ‪beginning Friday morning‬ at the Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon, Missouri.

Memorials may be directed to the Holt County Cancer Fund.