Gloria Jean Kurz
February 23rd, 2021
KURZ (née Wagner), Gloria Jean
June 21, 1943 - February 23, 2021
Gloria Kurz of Airdrie, AB, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at the age of 77 years.
Gloria was born in Southey, SK on June 21, 1943. She was the oldest of four children to parents Edith and Edmund Wagner and grew up on a farm in North Southey. She attended school in the one-room school, played baseball, and helped out on the farm.
In 1963, she moved to Regina and took a bookkeeping course. There, Gloria worked at the Medical Arts Building for the next few years. It was also there that she started dating Arnold Kurz, whom she first remembered when he pushed her down a hill on a toboggan at the age of 14 in their hometown. By September of 1966, Gloria and Arnold were married at North Southey Church.
A business opportunity lured Gloria and Arnold to Prince Albert with their two young daughters. Gloria was a meticulous bookkeeper for their business: P.A. Autobody. There, they joined Arnold’s brother, Harold (Dorthy), and close friends, Dennis Huber (Eleanor), and many wonderful memories ensued. All were welcomed and entertained at their home-away-from-home at Emma Lake all year round.
Though Gloria and her husband retired early, in their 40s, they certainly weren’t idle. In 1989, after their youngest daughter graduated, they packed up the motorhome and headed to Arizona. They moved to Kelowna in 1990 and it was their warm-weather home for over 10 years. They continued as snowbirds until 2020, but changed their Canadian home-base, one last time, in 2003, by moving to Airdrie.
Gloria’s expertise was called upon once again as a bookkeeper for her daughter’s businesses, Boca Loca and Salsita, in Calgary. Working many long hours, with her daughter, during her Christmas visits. And, at the same time making pinwheel cookies, setting up the Christmas village, and spoiling her grandkids. Gloria retired young, but she was an incredibly hard worker.
She also played hard, spending her “down” time doing what she loved: travelling to places like Hawaii, Alaska and Mexico; playing games like Pinochle, Mahjong, Bunco, Kaiser, Rook, and Cribbage; making food like cinnamon buns, dill pickles, and plum dumplings; and spending time with friends and family.
Gloria is lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, Arnold; daughter, Lana Kurz and her sons, Kyle and Jaxon; daughter, Renette Kurz, and her children Sebastian and Olivia. Gloria was predeceased by her parents, Eddie and Edith; and her brother, Ronnie.
At Gloria’s request, there will be no Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Master in Airdrie, AB https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/47408 or to the Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca/en/donate/?region=on.
Messages:
Dear Arnold and family. We only knew Gloria for a short time. We came to know her as a loving mother and grandmother. Please know that our thoughts are witn you. Love Vivian and Bob
Our dearest condolences to passing of Gloria Kurtz. We met Arnold and Gloria in Mesa Arizona and have had many occasions for a visit in at the A&w. I will miss those phone calls needing help with her computer. thank you Arnold and Gloria for being good friends indeed. Also wishing the Children and Family’s our prayers
Uncle Arnold, Lana, Renette and families. My heartfelt condolences to you all. It’s a beautiful write up and I enjoyed the snapshot of the highlights of her life. I too was lucky to have her in my life as an Aunt and was the recipient of her generous hospitality in various places and some good card games. Thinking of you all with much love, Take care.
To Arnold & family. Please accept our condolences on the passing of Gloria. Although we haven’t spent much time together our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Renette, Sebastian and Olivia, My deepest condolences to you. My thought are with you and sending love. Jenann
Renette My deepest sympathies to you and your family for your loss. Emil
You have all been in my thoughts and prayers over the last few months. I didn't get to see Aunty Gloria often, but I have fond memories of the times our families were together. She will be missed. Sending love to you all
Arnold and Family We were saddened to hear that Gloria has passed away and would like to offer our condolences at this time, she will be missed by all. Sincerely; Mike & Darlene
So sorry for your loss.....she was my Godmother but sadly haven’t seen her for many years Take care
Querida Renette, Mis sinceras condolencias para ti y toda tu familia. Un abrazo grande.
Sending my thoughts and prayers to All of you at this time. Gloria was such a wonderful and loving person. She will be missed by all that new her.
My condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you during this time, and we send our love your way.
Hi Arnie: My sincere condolences to you and your family. Gloria was a really nice lady and a lot of fun to be around. Linda
Arnold, Lana, Renette, and all your family. I was very saddend to hear the sad news of Gloria. We had a lot of good times together from our courting days and our places we moved to. I will miss our phone calls and emails with each other. She made a very good Kaiser and Rooke Partner. She will always be in Your memories. Eleanor Huber.