Merle Allen Kurtz

Merle A. Kurtz, age 91, of Cushing, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Cushing with Rev. Kim A. Crummer officiating.  Burial will be at the Cushing Cemetery of Cushing.  A visitation will be held on Monday, June 17, 2019 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Correctionville.

Merle Kurtz went to his heavenly home Saturday June 15, 2019, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born to Harry and Isabelle (Joslin) Kurtz February 16th, 1928 in Cushing, Iowa, Merle graduated from Cushing High School and spent his life farming.  On September 24th, 1950 Merle was united in marriage to Mardell Birkley and they lived on the family farm near Cushing, Iowa. Merle and Mardell raised 5 children, they also have 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  They were married 66 years before Mardell’s death in 2017.

Merle was proud to be a farmer and loved working the family land.  That same land was designated as a Century Farm in 1989, first purchased by Merle’s Grandfather Henry, then his Father.  Raising pure bred Hereford cows and Hampshire hogs, Merle will always be remembered for his stripped bib overalls, seed corn caps, his strong work ethic, and his giving heart.  Merle enjoyed long Sunday drives to check out the crops and while he didn’t have many hobbies, he did love to fish and shared that love with the entire family. Nothing was more important to Merle than his family and spending time together, usually around the family table.  Merle believed his greatest gift was his 5 children.  He also had a soft spot for his Grand and Great-Grandchildren and his face would light up whenever they would visit. Merle and Mardell moved from the family farm to Char Mac Assisted Living in Holstein, in August of 2013 and to Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Holstein, in May of 2016, where he was at the time of his death.

Merle is survived by his son, Gary (Cheri), Correctionville, Brant (Alison), Colton and Daxton; Justin (Larissa), Ryver, Reif and Ireland; Cody;  Daughter, Nancy (Donavon) Noe, Holstein, Blake (Melissa), Cove; Bart (Jacque), Mila, Mara and Remington; Son, Bob (Nancy) Kurtz, Correctionville, Alicia (Nathan) Drury, Nash and Owen; Tressa (Mark) Kurtz-Jolliffe, Rogan; Ashton (Steve) Huffman, Jacob and Grant; Sami McCrea, Tyrel McCrea, Ryleigh; Daughter, Jane (Wes) Kurtz-Teal, Sioux Falls, SD, Kristina (Kris) Bridges, Lacey Bridges, Lindsay (Josh) Teal-Ambrose, Magdalen and Elliott; Daughter, Sherry (Paul) Kurtz-Anderson, Canton, SD, Matthew and Nathan.

Sister Della Wolf, Cherokee, nephew Max (Laurie) Wolf and family, Owasso, OK; niece Myrna (Chuck) Sell and family, Scottsbluff, NE; Brother-in-Law Mike (Phyllis) Birkley, Hubbard, NE, Cousin Eldon (Vicki) Nippert and several nieces and nephews.

Merle also made some very special friends at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Marshall Uhl, Gary Rohlf, LouDale Sales, Dave Kuhlman.

Merle is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mardell and his parents Harry and Isabelle Kurtz

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cushing Fire Department.  This caring group of volunteers were always quick to respond if needed when Merle and Mardell still lived on the farm.