Douglas Alan Kurtz

Douglas Alan Kurtz, 56, of a rural Devils Lake, ND began his journey to the other side Thursday June 15th, 2017 with his children by his side.  He had been battling Multiple Symptom Atrophy (MSA), the cerebral type, for the past few years. He fought hard all the way to the end, never giving up.  Doug was born August 18th, 1960 in Devils Lake to Michael Kurtz Jr. and Fern Risovi Kurtz. He was educated in Devils Lake, graduating from high school with the class of 1978, Satans. Doug moved to Bismarck for a few years, then to Fargo/Moorhead where he went to school at Moorhead Tech and earned his Diesel Mechanic Certificate in 1985. In 1986 he moved back to Devils Lake to work for his Dad’s Lumber Yard which he and his brother would eventually purchase from their father. The same year he met the love of his life, Nancy Barendt Kurtz, they married on December 2nd, 1989, had 3 children, Amber Jo Kurtz, Alyssa Leigh Kurtz and Brandon Michael Kurtz.  Doug loved his "perfect family" unconditionally and would do just about anything for any of them. He also loved hockey and taught Brandon how to skate, how to understand and play the game. These were some of his most enjoyable times. Doug volunteer coached one year with Lonnie Olson and Mark Stein when Brandon was a PeeWee. They won the PeeWee B state championship that year, they were both very proud! Doug also enjoyed 4-wheeling and rock climbing with the most indestructible off road vehicle around, his "Jeep Not", which he built from the ground up all by himself, it seldom got stuck in anything. He took his toy to Northern MN and into Wisconsin rock crawling and trail riding.  Doug also loved being at the lake. He began water skiing at a pretty young age and got to be very good at it, he was one of the few around that could bare foot. Some of his fondest memories were spent at the lake with his family. Doug was a very proud person, the greatest dad and man. He was the best dad ever to his children, he loved them very much, along with the apple of his eye, grand daughter, Aubrey Luna Nelson.  Doug his survived by his children, Amber Jo Kurtz(Travis Nelson), Grand Forks, Alyssa Leigh Kurtz(Aaron Geer), Devils Lake, Brandon Michael Kurtz, Devils Lake, granddaughter, Aubrey Luna Nelson, Mother of his children and special friend, Nancy A. Kurtz, Fargo. Father, Michael Kurtz Jr., Devils Lake, Sisters, Linda Johnson, Bismarck, Patricia(Faye) Walsh, Utah, Cynthia Stenhjem, Fargo, Brenda Murray, West Fargo and Brother, Michael Keith Kurtz, Devils Lake, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He was preceeded in death by his Grandparents, Michael and Francis Kurtz, Frank and Lena Risovi, his mother, Fern Kurtz, Niece, Dawn Johnson, brother in law, Warren Stenhjem.     Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, June 22nd from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. with Father Alex King officiating.  Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.