April 18, John Kurtz, went home to be with his Lord and Savior as the result of a tragic car accident. He was a remarkable man who left behind a legacy of loving and encouraging others, faith in Christ, generosity, and a helping hand. He was dedicated to his family, a hard worker, and the family storyteller extraordinaire.
John was born February 5, 1950 in Lancaster, PA to Jacob and Lois (Gish) Kurtz. He grew up on a dairy farm near Elizabethtown, PA. As soon as he was able, he started working on his parents’ dairy farm and at their family ag supply store. From his youth, John had a keen interest in farming, especially in dairy cattle. In fact, he was uniquely gifted with a photographic memory for cow markings.
He graduated from Elizabethtown Area High School in 1968. He went on to attend Penn State University where he worked in the campus dairy barns and earned a degree in Agricultural Economics (1971). After graduating from college. John worked as a salesman for Agway, Inc. as a feed specialist.
In 1973, John moved to Minnesota where he and his brother had purchased a dairy operation near Altura. Shortly after moving to Minnesota, John met a farm girl named Karen Boyum.
August 1994 they moved to Becker where they resided until May 2009. In 2009 John and Karen moved from Becker to Antioch, TN.
Outside of his working career, John was a committed Christian and church member serving over the years as an usher, lay pastor, youth leader, worship team leader, bible study leader, and deacon. He made 3 mission trips to the Ukraine and one trip to Africa (Uganda) with his son where he assisted in solving soil and water issues.
His hobbies included athletic events, especially Penn State Football, biking, tending to his yard, spending time with his family and friends, traveling with Karen and being an adoring, fun-loving “Papa John” to the grandchildren.
John’s favorite Bible verse was Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
John worked tirelessly to serve others and be the hands and feet of Christ on this earth. In his own words, “A heavenly minded Christian spends his life doing, not dreaming. His mind may be in the heavens, but his hands and feet are busy doing the things God has called him to do. Heavenly mindedness is not an escape from the realities of life. Rather, a heavenly minded Christian sees life from heaven’s point of view.” John’s work here is finished and he now truly sees from Heaven’s point of view.
John is survived by his wife, Karen, his son Joshua (Alyssa) Kurtz – Old Hickory, TN, his daughter Katrina (Nick) Brown – Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren - Jackson, Amani and Isaiah Kurtz; two foster daughters Helen and Mary Ann; his mother, Lois Martin; 4 brothers – Barry (Mary) Kurtz, Dave (Mary) Kurtz, Fred (Sandy) Kurtz, Eddie Kurtz, and one sister Janet (Jim) Rhen. He was preceded in death by his father, Jacob Kurtz.
The family prefers memorials go to NuWaterWorks -.an organization dedicated to providing water solutions in third world countries. NuWaterWorks.org
