Jean Theresa Kurtz

Kurtz, Jean Theresa
Houston, Texas formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan Our dear mother, Jean passed away at Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas on May 1, 2009, following a brief illness. She was 93. Jean was born on January 8, 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio and eventually moved with her family to Elmira, New York, where she was raised and educated. The family later relocated to Kalamazoo, when her father became Chief Gear Engineer with the Fuller Mfg. Company. Jean met Clare, her husband to be, while attending Maher's Business College in Kalamazoo. They courted and were married on May 1, 1937. Jean and Clare were married 64 years before his passing. They were blessed with six boys and one girl. Jean was a wonderful wife and a phenomenal Mother who bestowed her faith and unbelievably strong values on our family with unconditional love, devotion, strength, humor, compassion and support. Jean passed away on what would have been their 72nd wedding anniversary. Jean dearly loved each and every one of her seven 7 children, ten 10 grandchildren and three 3 great grandchildren. She will always be remembered as our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, friend and confidant, and will be deeply, deeply missed. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Clare Joseph Kurtz, her sister, Edith Pershing Barthold, and her parents Sam and Bessie Trimbath. Jean is survived by her children, David of Kalamazoo, Stephen Carolyn of SanDiego, California., Norbert Yvonne of Lansing, Jack Karen of Frederic, Mich. Daniel Diane of Brentwood, Tennessee, Thomas of Kalamazoo, and Joan of Houston, Texas. Jean is also survived by all of her ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A Memorial Mass for Jean Theresa Kurtz will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 7 at St. Augustine Catholic Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Avenue, followed by private interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.