Obit: Kurz, Michael L. (1954 - 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kurz, Turville, Silbert, Julius, Wilson, Schnitzler, Quicker

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 16 Sep 2020

Kurz, Michael L. (2 NOV 1954 - 2 SEP 2020)

Michael Lee Kurz, 65, Red Wing, Minn., formerly of Loyal, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at his home in Red Wing, Minn., with his wife, Leslie, and his sister, Lorena, at his side.

Michael was born on Nov. 2, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. At nine pounds, he was a very healthy boy. It was voting day so his dad, Henry J.A. Kurz, went to vote and hurried back to his first child and mother, Christine (nee Turville) Kurz. Mike’s schooling included graduation from Spokeville Grade School and Loyal High School, and he attended some college in Green Bay. While a student at Loyal High School, he started a home economics class for boys. He also learned Shiatsu massage from a Japanese lady during her first time in America. He married Roberta Schmidt and they returned to Taft. They had two children, Laurie and Joshua, and a step-daughter, Doty. After Roberta passed on, he went to Red Wing, Minn., where his parents were working at Treasure Island Resort and Casino. He then worked there for 22 years in every department except counting the money. His California work included 20 years for J.P. Getty in his oil fields, and after the casino he worked his own business of Shiatsu massage, in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin, until the end of his life. His hobbies were working with his hands in the dirt, vegetable gardening, and planting trees. Another hobby was singing in his church in Bay City with his mother, Christine, and old friends Loren and Loretta Silbert. He was an avid bowler, with high scores of 300 and 764.

Survivors include his wife, Leslie Julius, who he married on July 3, 2020, in a park on the edge of the Mississippi River; his children: Laurie (John) Wilson, Joshua, and step-daughter Doty, all of Orcotta, Calif.; four siblings: Kenneth Kurz of Potter, Ray Kurz of Marshfield, Lorena (Douglas) Schnitzler of Marshfield, and Corey Kurz of Pittsville; his mother, Christine Kurz Quicker of Spencer; and many nieces and nephews and dozens of friends.

He donated his body for research to Mayo Clinic Anatomical services.