Obituary of Elaine Alma Kurtz

Mitchell – Elaine Alma Kurtz, 83, went to her heavenly home Monday, January 7 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Funeral service will be Friday, January 11 at 10:30 am at Hope Lutheran Church in Delmont. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Elaine was born July 21, 1935 to Arthur and Alma (Vetter) Jons in Spencer, NE. She attended country school for a couple of years before transferring into Bonesteel. Elaine graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1953. She attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD where she obtained her teaching certificate. Elaine taught in a country school near Bonesteel for 2 years before moving to Mitchell, SD where she worked as a waitress. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Robert Kurtz, on a "blind date". The couple was united in marriage on September 5, 1957 in Bonesteel. They made their home in Delmont, SD where they raised their family and Elaine worked at Agland Co-op. Elaine was very artistic, excelling in cake decorating. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was an animal lover, cats in particular, and also enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, bowling, putting puzzles together, playing cards, fishing and watching basketball.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Robert of Delmont; 3 children: Susan (Greg Lengkeek) Kurtz of Sioux Falls; Bob (Michelle) Kurtz of Delmont; and Cheryl Smit of Visalia, CA; 7 grandchildren: Andrew (Liza Kurtz) Hanson, Angela (Michael) Konrad, Alicia Hanson, Devin Kurtz, Drew Kurtz, Matthew Smit, and Kristen Smit, 2 great-grand-daughters: Lauren Hanson and Cora Konrad; a brother, Malvern (Alice) Jons of Bonesteel; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Robyn Hanson; and 2 brothers, Delmer and Harley Jons.