Ruth N. Kurtz

Ruth N. Kurtz, 92, North Manchester, IN died Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN. She was born February 10, 1919 to Lee R. & Jennie C. (Royer) Smith. She graduated from Chester High School in 1937 and Manchester College in 1941. On September 2, 1951 she married Alton Robert Kurtz. He died June 29, 1983. She was a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, IN. Ruth was employed with Cooperative Extension Service of Minnesota from 1949-1951. She taught in various high schools in Ohio and Indiana from 1941-1949 and also taught at Bridgewater College in Virginia. While raising her children and in retirement, Ruth gave much time in service to church, college and community activities in Defiance, OH, Spring Arbor, MI and finally as a resident at Timbercrest Senior Living Community, North Manchester, IN. She resided in Defiance, OH 1953-1974, Spring Arbor, MI 1974-1985 and at Timbercrest Senior Living Community since 1985. She is survived by three daughters, Rachel (Bob) Gross, North Manchester, IN, Beth (Francois Costes) Kurtz-Costes, Chapel Hill, NC and Sarah (Jim Bernard) Kurtz, Golden, CO; one son, Stanley Kurtz, Morelia, Mexico; one brother, Lee Smith Jr., North Manchester, IN; two sisters, Frances Anderson, Elkhart, IN and Martha Colace, North Manchester, IN and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters. Friends and family may call August 18, 2011 from 1:00-2:15 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. August 18, 2011 at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN. Burial will be in Ulrey Cemetery, Silver Lake, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Ruth Kurtz, memorial contributions may be given to Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 N. Beckley Street, North Manchester, IN 46962 or Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962 or North Manchester Rotary Club Robin's Way Project (walkway from Timbercrest to Manchester College) c/o Beacon Credit Union, 1301 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN 46962. To send a private condolence to the Kurtz family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.