George Howard Kurtz

George Kurtz, age 66, of Pine City passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at the University of Minnesota hospital. George Howard Kurtz was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps where he honorably served from 1967-1969 which included the Vietnam War. He returned home and became a Police Officer with Deephaven Police for one year before transferring to Minneapolis Police -all while raising 3 boys and daughter. For his 25 years with MPD, he worked Patrol at each precinct, the Color Guard, and was involved with the Police Union. Upon retiring, for a brief period of time he became a US Marshall for the Minneapolis Office before heading up north to Pine City and purchasing Muffie's Supper Club on Lake Pokegama - something of great pride to both him and his wife, Karen. Never fully retired from a day's work, he immersed himself in friends and his growing family to include 4 grandchildren...and of course, Willie. George is survived by his loving wife Karen Kurtz of Grasston, his dog Willie, son Tony (Shannon) Kurtz of Plymouth, daughter Sara (Luis) De La Riva of Richfield, grandchildren: McCoy Kurtz, Dakota Kurtz, Maximiliano De La Riva Brunzell, and Jacielle De La Riva Brunzell; brothers: Jesse (Paula) Kurtz of Stillwater, Bill (Kari) Kurtz of Ashland, Wisconsin, and Marty Kurtz of Pine City; father-in-law and mother-in-law Doug & JoAnn Awalt, sister-in-law Kim (Steve) Middleton, brothers-in law: Kevin Awalt, Kenneth (Linda) Awalt; best friends Bob Hunt and Bill Suko, many nieces, nephews, and good friends. He is preceded in death by his sons: George H. Kurtz II, George H. Kurtz III, and Robert Kurtz; mother Louise Speth, and sister Kathleen. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Muffie’s on the Lake in Pine City. Funeral arrangements for George Kurtz are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com