Mary Kurtz

Mary “Pat” Kurtz, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away, Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 6:00 P.M. Friday, March 20 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Private burial will take place at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale. Memorial donations in Pat’s name may be made to PACE of Southwest Michigan or Sarett Nature Center. Those wishing to sign Pat’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Pat was born February 6, 1933 in Exeter, New Hampshire to Donald & Mary (Heilig) Leonard. She graduated from Robinson Female Seminary in 1950, and earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1954. On August 11, 1956 she married Warren Kurtz in St. Joseph. Along with raising her family, Pat held a variety of jobs. She was employed for several years at The Hobby Horse in St. Joseph, volunteered at Fernwood Botanical Gardens, and spent many years working in various roles at Brookside Nursery in St. Joseph. She enjoyed tending to her flower gardens around her home, doing crafts, and spending time with her family and friends. She was an avid fan of multiple sports, and was the go-to person for her children when they needed to know what was going on in the sporting world, in particular with Michigan State University. Pat was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and had an interesting family history which included those who planned the Pilgrim voyage of the Mayflower to Plymouth Rock, relatives who fought in the Revolutionary War, and settled the area know as Fairplain near Benton Harbor, MI. Pat is survived by three sons-Steve W. (Susan) Kurtz of Denver, CO, John W. Kurtz of St. Joseph, Todd L. (Adrianne) Kurtz of Yorba Linda, CA; eight grandchildren-Will, Hallie, Sarah (Keith) Laurenz, Andra, Amy, Jack, Kelly & Kyle Kurtz; and Warren’s extended family. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Warren on November 14, 2015.