Walter H. Kurz

Walter H. Kurz, 86, of Palmer, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Worms. The Rev. Craig K. Niemeier will officiate. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Worms, with graveside military honors by Burton-Beyer American Legion Post 120 of Palmer. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Gymnasium. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Kurz was born on May 26, 1927, on the family farm 5 miles south of Palmer, the son of Karl and Martha (Kuhnle) Kurz. He was united in marriage to Janice M. Rutten on April 12, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Worms. He is survived by his wife, Janice Kurz of Palmer; one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Chris Kurz of Palmer; two daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Steve Wissing of St. Libory and Bonnie and John Hinkle of Grand Island; one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Evelyn Kurz of Worms; and three sisters and one brother-in-law, Lorraine Liebhart, Ruth and Roy Peters and Irene Kurz, all of Grand Island. He also leaves to cherish his memory eight grandchildren and their spouses, Darcy and Greg Ray, Danielle and Steve Benson, Jessica and Matthew Pozehl, Stephanie and Craig Kocian, Nick and Ashley Wissing, Andy and Amber Wissing, Sydney Hinkle and Clancey Hinkle. And 14 great-grandchildren, Kyra and Tyron Ray, MacKenzie and Brayden Benson, Ned, Oren, Mila and Jolyn Pozehl, Hunter and Kaden Kocian, Harper and Hensley Wissing and Barrett and Anna Wissing; and numerous nieces and nephews. Walter was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and received his education at Zion Lutheran parochial school. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from Dec. 1950 to Dec. 1952. He and Janice farmed south of Palmer, their entire 60 year marriage. He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church and had served on various boards in the church. He was also a lifetime member of Burton-Beyer American Legion Post 120 of Palmer, having served as Commander. He was a member of the V.F.W. of Clarks, Nebraska Cattleman’s Association and the Platt-Duetsche of Grand Island. Walt also served on Palmer Co-op elevator board, Prairie Creek Township board and German Mutual Insurance board. Walt enjoyed going to livestock auctions and hauling cattle for friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Esther Frauen; and three infant brothers, Otto, Karl and Henry Kurz. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church.