Loren Kurtz

Loren Kurtz, 74 of Devils Lake and Apollo Beach, Florida passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at his home in Florida.

Mass of Christian Burial for Loren will be on Monday, December 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake ND with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, December 12^th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 6:00 p.m.

Loren was born on September 15, 1947, in Fargo ND, the son of Earl and Ione (Picotte) Kurtz. He graduated from Devils Lake High School with the class of 1965. He continued his education at the Data Center in Minneapolis.  

Loren entered the United States Army on April 8, 1969, and honorably and proudly served his country stateside and oversees during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 4 on November 10, 1970, and continued to serve with the reserves until April 7, 1975.

Loren was united in marriage to his beloved Patricia Mulhern on November 28, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked, and raised their family through the years. He was a true entrepreneur. He took over his dad’s business, Northwest Salvage Grain and Feed until he sold it in 1982. He then got into the car wash business as owner and operator of North Country Car Wash and later Dukes Car Wash. He was always very involved and very hands-on with the businesses until retiring in 2012.  After retirement, he and Pat enjoyed traveling in the motorhome, living on the canal in Apollo Beach, with the boat just steps away. In the summer months, they enjoyed the beauty of North Dakota at Eagle Bend RV Park, where Loren served as “Mayor” and spent hours keeping up the grounds, meeting old friends and making many new ones.

Loren was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

In younger years, Loren loved boating and water sports. He made it a point to teach the kids and grandkids how to water ski and the family enjoyed many snowmobiling trips to Yellowstone. Time with family was always treasured by Loren. Those were the best times. Loren’s canine, furry friend Tucker, was a constant companion.

Loren’s loving family include his Pat; Chris (Grace) Kurtz of Devils Lake, Travis (Nikki) Kurtz, Fargo, ND; grandsons Landon and Gannon, Devils Lake, Eli, Fargo, and granddaughter Jenna also of Fargo; many dear nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Ruth and Leo Mulhern.

Reading the Scriptures will be Stephanie Dempsey, Holly Deitrick and Tim Mulhern, Eucharistic Gift Bearers are Lynn Williams and Julie Serenyi and music will be provided by Patty and Jeff Cote.

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