Obituary for James R. "Jim" Kurtz
James R. Kurtz, 81, of Crystal Falls, Mich., passed away on March 4, 2024, at Aspirus Hospital in Iron River.
He was born on June 24, 1942, in the Buck Lake District of Crystal Falls, Mich., to the late Louis Kurtz Sr. and Gertrude Kurtz. He married Carol Boylan on November 24, 1962, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Jim graduated from Alpha Porter High School with the class of 1960 and later from Northwestern Institute of Medical Technology with the class of 1962.
Throughout his career, Jim worked in the medical field at the Wilden Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, the Shenandoah Hospital in Shenandoah, Iowa, and the Crystal Falls Community Hospital in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Jim also worked with his brothers for many years as a carpenter at Kurtz Construction Company; as a truck driver moving and settling houses for Dickinson Homes; and lastly, creating many beautiful homes and buildings as the owner of construction company, Kurtz Kountry Builders.
He was a member of the Iron River, Michigan Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and leaves behind many lifelong friends there. In his free time, Jim enjoyed nothing more than working on the family farm, woodworking, playing with his grandbabies, and engaging in a “spirited” game of pinochle and deer hunting.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Carol Kurtz; children, David (Theresa) Kurtz and Elisa (Troy) Servais; grandchildren, Maria (Jayson) Beekman, Ethan (Elizabeth) Kurtz and Airon Servais; great-granddaughters, Rachel Kurtz, Rebecca Kurtz, and Rae Lynn Kurtz; brothers, Louis Kurtz Jr. and Theodore (Cheryl) Kurtz; sisters-in-law, Sara (Bill) Annan and Mary Kurtz; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald Kurtz Sr.; sister, Carol Dombrowski; sister-in-law, Janette Kurtz; parents-in-law, Glen and Mary Boylan; brother-in-law, Jerry D. Boylan; niece, Jody Ayers; and great-nephews, Ian and Will Bauman.
Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services to honor and remember Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, located at 175 Bates-Amasa Road, Iron River, Michigan 49935.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Jim’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crystal Falls, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.
He was born on June 24, 1942, in the Buck Lake District of Crystal Falls, Mich., to the late Louis Kurtz Sr. and Gertrude Kurtz. He married Carol Boylan on November 24, 1962, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Jim graduated from Alpha Porter High School with the class of 1960 and later from Northwestern Institute of Medical Technology with the class of 1962.
Throughout his career, Jim worked in the medical field at the Wilden Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, the Shenandoah Hospital in Shenandoah, Iowa, and the Crystal Falls Community Hospital in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Jim also worked with his brothers for many years as a carpenter at Kurtz Construction Company; as a truck driver moving and settling houses for Dickinson Homes; and lastly, creating many beautiful homes and buildings as the owner of construction company, Kurtz Kountry Builders.
He was a member of the Iron River, Michigan Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and leaves behind many lifelong friends there. In his free time, Jim enjoyed nothing more than working on the family farm, woodworking, playing with his grandbabies, and engaging in a “spirited” game of pinochle and deer hunting.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Carol Kurtz; children, David (Theresa) Kurtz and Elisa (Troy) Servais; grandchildren, Maria (Jayson) Beekman, Ethan (Elizabeth) Kurtz and Airon Servais; great-granddaughters, Rachel Kurtz, Rebecca Kurtz, and Rae Lynn Kurtz; brothers, Louis Kurtz Jr. and Theodore (Cheryl) Kurtz; sisters-in-law, Sara (Bill) Annan and Mary Kurtz; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald Kurtz Sr.; sister, Carol Dombrowski; sister-in-law, Janette Kurtz; parents-in-law, Glen and Mary Boylan; brother-in-law, Jerry D. Boylan; niece, Jody Ayers; and great-nephews, Ian and Will Bauman.
Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services to honor and remember Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, located at 175 Bates-Amasa Road, Iron River, Michigan 49935.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Jim’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crystal Falls, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.