Patricia Anne Kurtz

Patricia Anne Kurtz entered into eternal rest on Tuesday February 11, 2025 in the arms of family. In the 90th year of her journey starting July 16, 1935, she was deposited in the loving embrace of her mother and father, Agnes Cecilia Manion and Dr. Richard Lynne Kestler at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Although she was born during the Great Depression, her idyllic neighborhood brought forth for her “It’s a Wonderful Life”. There she flourished with her best friend Becky Harmsen, who later in life would share the same last name of Kurtz as they married best friends and first cousins. 

As so very common of the age, her father was taken by the cruelties of WWII, and her world shattered. She then lived with her paternal Aunt and Uncle on a farm outside of Waucoman, Iowa from 1945 to 1947. 

She then returned to her neighborhood, family, and close friend in East Des Moines. 

Patsy, as she was then called, developed into a fine young woman attending St. Joseph Academy and graduated to study Fine Arts at Clark College in Dubuque Iowa. 

During the summer before her Sophomore year, she attended a pool party that would alter the course of her universe. Debonair and Notre Dame’s finest, John Miley Kurtz who was home from his junior year also attended the party thereby cementing providence. Beholding such a rare beauty, John was mesmerized. 

Courtship led to marriage and marriage led them to an apartment on Coast Boulevard in Lahoya California near the Coronado Naval Base, San Diego. Bliss and beauty bathed the young couple in the spotlight as Naval Officer and bride. 

With their service to country completed, Pat and John turned down opportunities in the budding aerospace industry to return to family, snow, friends, corn fields, state fairs, and the family Kurtz hardware enterprise. With their new house on Clegg Road, and a new child, John Michael, they made a perfect picture in 1957. Baby Bryan Richard arrived in 1959, and Timothy Charles in 1960. 

The “Salad Days’ of Eisenhower-Kennedy Pax Americana continued roaring in her life until it all changed with the Kennedy Assasination. Prayers were answered with the birth of Mary Pat in 1962, and provided a joy-filled contrast to that difficult time as well as some relief to the above excess male ruffian count. It was followed by the arrival of the Bonny Prince, David Miley, who was born to fireworks on July 4, 1965. 

Business and economic instability led her husband to leave his leadership position in the family business as well as his seat on the board of the local bank for an exciting position with the Xerox Corporation. At that time Xerox was the most innovative company much like the current Apple Corporation. 

The family moved to Nashville and rode the Xerox wave until the crest started to flatten. Pat involved herself with her children’s education, Junior League and church. She adapted to the heat, hills, and southern culture at an extreme time of political and social upheaval. Job, education, and health challenges were survived with resilience by all. The family enjoyed camping, Notre Dame football, school sports, and Lake Vermilion Minnesota.

As the nest emptied Pat reengaged her education, completing a degree in Art Therapy from Middle Tennessee State University. She also worked professionally as a florist, engaging in book clubs, travel, cruising and welcoming grandchildren into the world. She also enjoyed time at Lake Vermilion and her numerous friends and relations there. 

After retirement she moved to Mandeville, Louisiana living in communities, The Windsor, The Trace where numerous friendships were formed. As her health declined, she received wonderful care as The Peristyle at Beau West, attentive skilled nursing care at Lacombe Nursing and finally the finest of loving care and attention at Pontchartrain Nursing. 

She is survived by her children John Michael and wife Maria Kurtz of Charlotte North Carolina, Dr Bryan Richard and Michelle Kurtz of Columbia, Tennessee, Cdr. (Ret) Timothy Charles USN and Margaret Kurtz of Mandeville, Louisiana, Mary Patricia Kurtz of Nashville, Tennessee and Drs.David Miley and Lisa Kurtz of Apex, North Carolina. 

She always is surrounded in love by grandchildren Justin, Mary Lauren, Elizabeth, Emily, Zachary, Landon, Annie, Charlie, Celia, Cullen, Connor, Rosie, Claire, Jack, Emma and Joseph. In addition, seven great grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Sharon, her husband and most dearest, Elizabeth. 

A funeral will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mandeville at 10am Thursday February 20, 2025. 

Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa at a date to be announced. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Samaritan Center, 402 Girod St. Mandeville, Louisiana 70448. PH# 985-626-4457 in her name.