Balzer Kurtz

Balzer L. Kurtz, of Devils Lake passed away peacefully at the age of 79,early Tuesday morning, October 21, 2008 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Balzer will be held on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Robert Pecotte will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus with the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. Serving as Casket Bearers for Balzer will be his nephews, Dean Klier, Glen Kurtz, Dan Kurtz, Steve Reller, Don Herda and Rick Kurtz. Honorary Bearers will be Members of the 164th Infantry National Guard Unit, Officer Darin Rixen, Rene “Frenchie” Ouellette, Tony Braunagel, Alfred Johnson, Ron Wineman, George Zenk, Bill Harrington, Don Patnaude, Alex Lawson, Eric Lawson and Scotty Anderson Music will be provided by Russell Pearson and Paul Traynor, vocalists and Lynda Pearson, organist. Balzer was born, November 30, 1928 to Casper and Louise (Keller) Kurtz in Devils Lake. He continued to live in Devils Lake through out his whole life except for the short time he served his country during the Korean War. In 1947, Balzer joined the 164th Infantry National Guard Unit of Devils Lake. During the Korean War they were activated. After spending some time at Camp Rucker, Alabama, they were sent to Korea in September of 1951. He was honorably discharged in May of 1952 and never forgot how proud he was to have served with the 164th. Balzer was united in marriage to Marian Halvorson on August 20, 1952 at Devils Lake. They would live, work and raise their family and make Devils Lake their home for the next 56 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and Elks Lodge. Balzer had many interest such as boxing, golf, hockey, baseball, bowling and especially the activities and accomplishments of his family. Balzer was always very civic minded and served as a City Commissioner for 17 years and was also very active on the Mayor’s committee for employment of the handicapped. The latest project he just completed was the Memorial for those who have served our country at the intersection of College Drive and Highway 19. He never forgot those who have protected and served. Balzer is survived by his wife, Marian of Devils Lake Children: Jeanne (Tony) Foss of Grand Forks; Julie Horniblow of Riverside, California; Aviyah Kurtz of Sedona, Arizona; Joel Kurtz of Green Valley, Arizona; Jill Sande of Mesa, Arizona and Jennifer Kurtz-Smith of Kalispell, Montana. Twelve wonderful Grandchildren and three beautiful great grandchildren Siblings: Joseph (Dorothy) Kurtz, Bismarck; Betty Herda and Wallie Klier of Devils Lake; Julius (Joanne) Kurtz, San Jose, California; Casper (Madelyn) Kurtz, Devils Lake; Rosella (Jim) Hannon, New Hope, Minnesota, Tim (Maryann) Kurtz, Devils Lake and Marion (Francis) Reller, Grand Forks. Sister-In-Law: Marie Kurtz Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He joins in eternity his parents, Casper and Louise; brothers, John Kurtz and Richard Kurtz and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Helmer and Audrey Halvorson.