Karr, Kurtis Allen 1976 - 2023

KARR, FRANZEN, WING

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/25/2023 at 11:32:24

Kurtis Allen Karr, 47, of Winona, Minnesota and formerly of Decorah, Iowa died on March 21, 2023 peacefully at home. He will be greatly missed by his large family and community of friends.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 27, 2023, at the First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway St. in Decorah with Rev. Michael Wilker presiding.

He will be laid to rest at Long Point Cemetery in Wapella, IL near his grandparents John and Rosanne Karr at a later date.

Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in the Fellowship Hall at First Lutheran Church in Decorah.

Kurt was a graduate of Decorah High School Class of ’94 and attended the University of Iowa and was a proud member of Hawkeye Nation. Despite moving a lot during his youth, Kurtis’ warm big personality and quirky nature made meaningful friendships and he remained close to the friends he had from grade school in St. Louis, MO; Lebanon, MO; Broken Arrow, OK; and Decorah, IA.

Fiercely loyal, Kurtis was lifelong active in the Decorah community. Throughout his studies, he was a lifeguard, swimming instructor and was active in the State Improv including several plays and productions. He was the assistant manager of his family's Karr’s Department Store and a manager at Mabe’s Pizza. He later worked as a legal aid in Chicago, IL and a bank teller in Fargo, ND before moving to Winona, MN where he worked as an office manager at Elmer’s Auto. He was also a reader at his Lutheran Church.

Family was always the central focal point for Kurt, and he was a beloved father, son, brother, nephew, uncle and cousin. He loved to spend time at his grandparent's centennial farm in Wapella, IL and managed to keep things fun and efficient while planning and overseeing over 200 people at large family reunions on the property.

An Indy band lover, he was active in music festivals and made enthusiastic efforts to support local favorite bands. An avid fan who would buy and wear merch to show support, Kurt – and his cowbell – made many local establishment and music video appearances. An uber fan of Tom Petty, he attended over 20 concerts, even planning a trip to Sweden to see him perform.

Kurtis was a unique, one-of-a-kind, passionate conversationalist and collector, most notably about Star Wars, Marvel comics, Lego, and music but there were many more niche areas in which he collected and connected to others.

Kurtis is survived by his daughter Alexis Franzen of Minneapolis, MN; his parents Dwayne and Debroah Karr of Decorah, IA; his sister Kim Karr, of Antioch, CA; his sister Leslie Wing and her daughters Astrid, Lillian and Isabelle all of Stockholm Sweden; as well as a large number of extended family members in St. Louis, MO and Wapella, IL. He was married 14 years to Trisha Karr of Winona, MN who continues to care for his cherished dogs, Hawkeye and Ronin, and a pollinator project he began in honor of his grandmother, Rozanne. He joins his family in heaven Lorraine Sparks, Daniel Wing, John and Rosanne Karr, Jenny Karr, Holly Karr, Richard Karr and Terry Wing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Lutheran Church.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database