Casper A. Kurtz

Casper “Cass” A. Kurtz, 83 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial for Cass will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. 

Visitation will be held at the Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and sharing at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 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 Scripture Service led by Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. 

Casper Anthony Kurtz was born on January 16, 1936 at Devils Lake, ND, one of eleven children born to Casper and Louise (Keller) Kurtz. He attended school in Devils Lake and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1954.

Cass married his school sweetheart Madelynn Frison on April 25, 1956. They established their home in Devils Lake and would call it home their entire lives.  Cass enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard on March 21, 1953 and his career with the National Guard would span over 42 years.  He was trained as an Engineering Technician and had achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.  He was employed by the state at Camp Grafton, Devils Lake, ND starting as a mechanic, moving on to General Engineering Supervisor and then he was the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor when he retired. He proudly and faithfully served his country through the years.

Cass was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Devils Lake Elks Lodge and former member of the Eagles Lodge.

Cass loved the outdoors. Playing golf, in his younger years hunting and fishing and he also enjoyed gardening. However, if his garden produce wasn’t ready he was known to raid the gardens of his children gathering whatever was ready to harvest.  Everyone knew to be prepared to be teased, pranked or just part of a good joke whenever they spent time with Cass.  He and Madelynn were known to have some of the best Halloween costumes at any party and they loved to dance the night away any chance they had.  Cass was very handy as a carpenter and was involved in many remodeling and building projects for his family.  Casper and Madelynn spent many of their evenings following the kids and grandkids playing hockey and all of the other activities they participated in. 

Cass was a dear husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, uncle and friend - rest in peace.

Cass is survived by his loving family. His wife of nearly 63 years, Madelynn; children and their spouses Cheryl & Jim Klett of Devils Lake, Greg & Dori Kurtz of Minot, ND, Steve & Pip Kurtz of Lakewood, CO, Glen “Pooh Bear” & Lori Kurtz of Devils Lake and Karen & Michael Lynch of Rathdrum, ID; 14 grandchildren LeAnn Klett, Scott (Kristine) Klett; Jaxson Radke, Prezlie Kurtz; Seth, Atalie and Jess Kurtz; Cienna (Justin) Toso, Ryan (Chelsey) Kurtz, Chelsea (Dwayne) DeBruto and Holden Kurtz; Billie Nelson, Laura Higbee and Robin Lynch; eleven great grandchildren Alexis Mikkelson, Kaleb, Hudson and Jasper Klett; Trevin Toso, Saige and Robert Kurtz, Evalynn and Halle DeBruto; Mason and Tanner Higbee; siblings Betty Herda and Wallie Klier, Devils Lake, Rosie (Jim) Hannon and Marion Reller, Minneapolis MN, Joe Kurtz, Bismarck, ND and Julius (Joann) Kurtz, California; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents Casper and Louise and brothers John, Balzer, Tim and Richard Kurtz.

Honorary Bearers will be all of Cass’s grandchildren.