Erwin Kurtz

Erwin LeRoy Kurtz was born May 13, 1932 in Polk County, Woodside Township near Mentor, MN the son of Frank and Clara M. (Sather) Kurtz. He was baptized at Hitterdahl Lutheran Church near Mentor and confirmed on June 30, 1946 at Mentor Lutheran Church. Erwin grew up on a farm southwest of Mentor and attended Mentor Public Schools. Erwin worked for farmers in the area until he was twenty years old. He worked for Soo Railroad from 1952-1953. Erwin was drafted into the United States Army on January 27, 1953 during the Korean conflict. He served as a corporal and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Erwin was honorably discharged on December 24, 1953. He returned to Minnesota and worked at Aurora, MN for the Erie Mining for two years. Erwin was united in marriage to Jean Carol Beverly Truehl on August 16, 1958 at Grace Lutheran Church, Erskine, MN. The couple was blessed with four children. Erwin attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND and received a Associate Degree in the Electrical Trade Program graduating on May 20, 1959. He moved to Alexandria, MN where he worked for Alexandria Electric, Inc. for thirty-seven years before retiring in 1996. Erwin has been a member of First Lutheran Church since 1959. He served on numerous boards including: Lake Louise School Board, Lake Ida Cemetery Board and Knute Nelson Memorial Home Board. He was an active member of Arrowwood Men's golf league, various bowling teams, Sons of Norway and the Garfield Senior Club. On Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Erwin died at the age of eighty-one years. He is survived by his wife, Jean Kurtz of Alexandria; children, Rev. Julie Anderson and husband, Rev. Eugene, of Lake Benton, MN, Joan Enderle and husband, Thomas, of Jamestown, ND, Jeffrey Kurtz and wife, Lisa, of Overland Park, KS and Jill Scofield and husband, Rick, of Loveland, CO; grandchildren, Charlene Sabin and husband, Luke, of Minot, ND, Trent Anderson and wife, Shannon, of Moorhead, MN, Nathan Enderle and wife, Carlie, of Fargo, ND, Nicholas Enderle of Fargo, ND, John Kurtz of Fayetteville, AR, Molly Kurtz of Fayetteville, AR, Alex Scofield of Loveland, CO and Katie Scofield of Loveland, CO; great granddaughter, Madilynn Enderle of Fargo, ND; brothers, Floyd Kurtz of Sweet Home, OR and Donald Kurtz of Warner Robins, GA. Erwin was preceded in death by: his parents; stepfather, Felix Desotel; brother, Arland Kurtz; and nephew, Franklin Kurtz. A funeral service was held Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Marilee Bergerson officiated. Randy Morken and Trent & Shannon Anderson provided music. Interment followed in Fairview Cemetery at Erskine, MN. Casket bearers included all of Erwin?s grandchildren. Erwin will be missed as a great husband, a great father and grandfather, and a very good friend to many. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.