Photo courtesy of CLOSED-Davidson Funeral Home - Topeka
Topeka, Kansas
May 19, 1938 – Nov 13, 2019 (Age 81)
Ellen E. Kurtz, age 81, of Topeka passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at her home in Topeka. Ellen was born May 19, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA at a hospital founded by Benjamin Franklin. Her father, Alton C. Kurtz, then taught in a medical school founded by Benjamin Franklin, and her mother, Edith (Bowman) Kurtz, was a former teacher. Miss Kurtz attended Oklahoma City public schools and earned a B.A. degree from McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas and a master’s degree in education from Washburn University in Topeka. She taught in Topeka Public Schools from 1959 – 1964 and 1966 – 1980. In 1964, she entered Brethren Volunteer Service, a predecessor of the Peace Corps, and served in a community center in South Bend, IN. The following school year and for three summers, she was a volunteer teacher at Piney Woods School in Mississippi. For 17 years, she was a salesperson for a fabric retailer, serving at various times as head of crafts and sewing machine departments. She was a life member of the National Education Association and an active member of the Rochester Community Church of the Brethren in Topeka.
She is survived by two sisters, Nancy Kurtz of Kansas City, Kansas and Dorothy Longmire of Halstead, KS; a niece, Lisa Cooper of Louiville, Kentucky; a nephew, Ed Longmire of Halstead, Kansas; two great nephews and a great niece.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Halstead Cemetery at a later time. Memorial contributions may be made to Rochester Community Church of the Brethren or to Piney Woods School, Piney Woods, MS, 39148 and sent in care of the Davidson Funeral Home. davidsonfuneral.com.
Read MoreShe was my roommate at McPherson College, and we loved her. She had a dry sense of humor, and a keen intellect. I'm glad to have known her.
Janice Tompkins
September 05, 2020 | Columbia, MO | Classmate
In my old age I have been searching out classmates from years gone by. When I heard the name "Kurtz" on a TV program tonight, I immediately thought of Ellen. We were friends at Taft Junior High School, in Oklahoma City. I can't remember in which class we sat next to each other, probably English, because we had a contest to see which of us could solve the cryptogram in the school newspaper faster each week. I remember her fondly, and wish I had this notion to search out old friends a year or...
Nancy Smith Gibson
June 08, 2020 | Pearcy, AR | Friend
It is with great sadness that I learned of Ellen's death. Despite her frailty, Ellen was always so kind and gracious when we delivered her Meals on Wheels. May she rest in peace. And may you find comfort in your happy memories and knowing that she is no longer suffering.
November 18, 2019
My deepest sympathy to your family at your loss. I worked with Ellen for a time at JoAnn's and always enjoyed visiting and working with her. She was always so kind and never one to complain, even about her health issues.
May God be with you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Pat Stafford
Pat Stafford
November 18, 2019 | Topeka, KS | Acquaintance
Our sincerest sympathy to all of Ellen's family and friends
Meals on Wheels
November 18, 2019
Ms. Kurtz was my 3rd-4th Grade Teacher at Lafayette Grade School, 1964-65, in Topeka, KS. I have and will always remember her, especially teaching me excellent penmanship. She was truly one a kind educator, who am I proud to have been one of her students.
Extending my condolences to the Kurtz Family.
Dominic Gutierrez Sr
November 16, 2019 | Kingwood, TX
I delivered meals on wheels to Ellen for a number of years. We often visited and laughed in the eatly years. The last few years when she was bedridden, she remained pleasant, always thankful for her meal and wished me a good day.
November 16, 2019
