Ruby (Miller) KURTZ

KURTZ, BENDER, HINRICHSEN, TRAMPEL, BRATTRUD, LARSON, HANSEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 09:43:16

Belmond Independent, Iowa
June 5, 2003

Ruby M. Kurtz, 90, a resident of Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake, died May 25, 2003. Services were held May 31 at the Klemme United Methodist Church with Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Interment was at Ell Township Cemetery near Klemme. Organist was Madelyn Priebe and soloist was Tom Renner. Eulogists were Karo Brattrud and Kay Trampel. Ushers were Calvin Bruggeman and John Schwichtenberg. Honorary casket bearers were Leo Gardalen, Eugene Greiman, Curtis Greiman and Don Best. Active bearers were her grandchildren: Michael Hinrichsen, Kody Trampel, Ryan Brattrud, William (Billy) Larson, Jessie Hinrichsen, Kasey Trampel, Jeanna Brattrud and Nicole Larson.

Ruby Miller was born September 24, 1912 in Thornton, the daughter of Erastus and Margaret (Hansen) Miller. She was raised by her grandparents, Hans and Bessie Hansen. She attended Klemme schools, graduating in 1931. Ruby married William (Bill) Kurtz on February 21, 1933 at the Klemme Methodist Church parsonage. They moved to Ruby's grandfather's farm which Hans Hansen had homesteaded. In addition to assisting her husband on the farm, Ruby was a homemaker. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren and hosting family gatherings, especially their annual Christmas Eve gathering. She followed the many activities of her grandchildren and kept newspaper clippings of their accomplishments. After her husband's death in 1966, Ruby purchased a home in Klemme, living there for 16 years. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, cross stitching, raising flowers, and visiting with friends and family. She was a long-time member of the Grandmother's Club in Klemme and the UMW at church. In 1982 she moved to Prairie View in Garner where she lived for 10 years. Then she moved to Oakwood in Clear Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Survivors include son William (LeeAnn) Kurtz of Klemme; daughter Karen Bender of Madison, AL; granddaughters Kim Ann (Mark) Hinrichsen of Osage, Kay Trampel of Belmond, Karo (Scott) Brattrud of Clear Lake, Konnie (Donald) Larson of Garner, Michelle Bender of St. Cloud, MN, and Tracy Bender of Madison, AL; and 13 great-grandchildren.