John George Kurtz

Love you Gramp....not a day passes that you are not with us.

Things my grandfather taught me:
-Skip down the street. That's how he taught me how to skip, but also how to appreciate a sunny day without worrying what people think.
- Enjoy music. Good music. So many visits to the cottage were heralded by him on the organ as I opened the door. Funny, but this was how I learned to differentiate a samba from a foxtrot beat. Thank God for Wurlitzer.
- Any interaction, however small, can and should be memorable. Grandpa was the master of chatting up waitresses and getting out of speeding tickets by saying he thought he could drive his age. Life is interesting to those who realize it.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. “That Eiffel tower is just a heap of scrap metal”, said when recounting his march into Paris after the Battle of the Bulge. He could, however, pull off a bolo tie like no one's business.
- Take time to unwind and drink a beer.
- Age does not equal function. Eighty-three is an appropriate age to use an ab roller, and riding a bicycle at 97 can be commonplace. Keeping this in mind as a physical therapist has kept me from discounting patients. All of my patients plank. All of them have a strength beyond their expectations. I challenge them because Grandpa showed me it is possible.
-Family.

To my "Grandpa Jack", thank you for being the only " "Grandpa" I've ever had and loving me as your own. A special thanks to the Kurtz family for sharing him! I'll cherish forever umbrella dancing on the see saw, tractor rides, organ lessons, bonfires and dock parties, singing show tunes and being my favorite dance partner! I learned how to get the most out of life and be a lifelong student and for that I'll be forever grateful. I love you.

Grandpa Jack,
You leave behind a family that is very thankful. We are thankful for the love you shared and the wisdom you instilled in all of us. You are someone that we will always look up to. We hope we can continue to make you proud and carry on the Kurtz family name with honor.
We love you!!

Jack,
Thank you for sharing the most fascinating life story ever.
For being the best mentor,friend,"Grampa Jack". For showing us how to enjoy life.
For, "If you want to eat good, eat at home". I will always do my best to "learn something new everyday".
I can hear Ollie say (with that twinkle in her eye) "Jack Oh! that man of mine. They're dancing in heaven tonight.

In my mind Jack was larger than life, always a smile, a laugh, a good story, and when needed a willing helper. For me those memories will never die, and while they live, he will live,at least in our minds.

Grandpa Jack-
Thanks for the wonderful memories of joyful times together, the laughs, and a life well lived; water skiing on the lake, races for a buck, pumping water from the well, navy beans, tractor rides, driving on dirt roads, and milk jugs full of beer... now you and Grandma Ollie can continue to watch over us together. Love you,

This poem is for you Gramp. Will love and miss you EVERY single day. Rest in peace. ..................................................................... A limb has fallen from our family tree, I keep hearing a voice that says "grieve not for me." Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes and we're together again. (Author Unknown)