Annie “Marie” Kurz aged 92 years of Central Butte, SK, passed away on Saturday, July 15th, 2023. Marie was born in Chamberlain, SK on May 7th, 1931, to John and Kate Milne. When she was a young girl, her family moved to the Central Butte area. Marie took her schooling in a small country school up to grade eleven, and then went to Moose Jaw to take a secretarial course.
Marie worked at the Royal Bank in Hanley, SK until her marriage to Willice George Kurz. She was the definition of a “hard-working” farm wife, milking cows, raising a large flock of turkeys and chickens, driving grain trucks, fixing fence, tending a huge garden, and of course, cooking amazing meals for her family and the hired help. In her spare time, she was active in the Rebecca Lodge and helping Willice with the Central Butte Wildlife Federation.
Marie even found time to work away from home, spending a year working at the kitchen in the Central Butte Hospital and 26 years as a cook at the Central Butte Hotel. She gained quite a reputation for the fantastic hamburgers she made at the restaurant. People came from all over just to order one. After she retired, there was more time to pursue some of her favourite things: her flower garden, knitting and crocheting, reading, and sewing — many, many pairs of jeans were mended on her sewing machine.
But her most treasured thing was family. Marie appreciated her little apartment in town that was “home” to her and meant family were close, so she could see them regularly. Marie was Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, friend, confidante, and the “glue” that held the family together. Her passing leaves an unfathomable void.
She was predeceased by her husband and love of her life, Willice in 2010; father, John Rennie Milne and mother, Catherine Milne; brothers: Cecile, Archie, Melvin, and Ken; sisters: Edna, May, and Dorothy; and grandson, Eric. Marie leaves to mourn her passing, her children: Allan (Carolyn) Kurz, Gail (Tom) Molsberry, and Ken (Heather) Kurz; grandchildren: Sheldon Kurz (Nadine Adcock), Allison (David) Urban, Clayton (Erin) Kurz, Krista (Ryan) Martens, Adam Molsberry (Rebecca Meaden), and Larissa Kurz; great-grandchildren” Haylee Martens, Gracie Kurz, Owen, Conner and Ayla Urban, and John and Logan Kurz; sisters-in-law, Carol Milne and Pearl Milne; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A sincere thank-you from the family to the doctors and staff at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, Providence Place (GARU), and the Moose Jaw Special Care Home. You all made a difficult journey a bit easier.
The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Heather MacKinnon will officiate and interment will take place in Sunset Cemetery. Those not able to attend may view the service virtually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Marie’s name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 100-119 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
