Maryanna W. Kurtz

Maryanna W. Kurtz, 78, beloved wife, mother and friend to many, passed away July 9, 2013, in Kalispell.

She was born April 13, 1935, to Charles and Gwen Wuttke in Fort Scott, Kan., and raised in Pleasanton, Kan.

She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., for two years and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas.

She also attended graduate school at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Maryanna taught school for three years in White City and Kansas City, Kan. In her later years she was also a Sunday school teacher.

She married Gene Kurtz in 1960 in Kansas, then resided in Arizona and New Mexico together while Gene completed medical school.

During this time, they started a family and Maryanna then dedicated herself as a mother and homemaker. In 1967, they settled in Havre, where Gene worked as a physician, and Maryanna continued to manage their household and raise their children. They were married for 44 years until Gene passed away in 2004.

Maryanna was a longtime member of Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, where she was also a member of United Methodist Women and Wesley Circle.

She also sang in the church choir for many years, along with the Havre community choir.

She was a member

of P.E.O., Alpha Chi Omega and the Republican Party, and active in the Havre community choir series. She supported many charities. Maryanna was an excellent piano player and enjoyed playing for the Northern Montana Care Center.

In her youth, Maryanna enjoyed summers at her aunt and uncle’s cattle ranch in southern Montana. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, bridge club with her friends, nature and wildlife, and classic movies.

She was also a big Kansas Jayhawks fan, especially their basketball team.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gene Kurtz; and her parents, Charles and Gwen (Wild) Wuttke.

Maryanna is survived by her sons, Charles and wife Barbara, and Matthew and wife Donna; and four grandchildren, Julie and Blaine Kurtz, and Allison and Rosalie Kurtz.

Services will be held in Havre at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Van Orsdel United Methodist Church (for the church choir) or P.E.O. STAR Scholarship.