Raymond 'Ray' Kurtz

A Funeral Service for Raymond “Ray” Kurtz, 94, of Dickinson will be 10:00 am Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Lefor.

Visitation for Ray will be one hour prior to the service, with a rosary being said half an hour before the service.

Ray passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson.

Raymond Valentine Kurtz was born on February 24, 1930 in Lefor, North Dakota to Nick and Anna (Schneider) Kurtz. He attended country school through the eighth grade. In his younger years, he trapped mink and used the money he earned to buy his first accordion. Music was a huge part of Ray’s life from that point forward.

Ray married Ann Flohr on October 9, 1951. The couple farmed outside of Lefor until they moved to town, where Ray worked as the school janitor and Ann was the cook. Ray had the honor of being the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in Lefor in 1975. The couple had two children, Patricia and Michael. In 1976, after the kids graduated, the family moved to Dickinson.

After moving to Dickinson, Ray worked at the south side filling station, and later worked as the warehouse manager for Farmers Union. Throughout the years, he kept up with his band. They played for weddings and anniversaries, sometimes for the same couple. In 2003, Ann passed away.

Ray reconnected with his high school friend, Geraldine Reindel. The two stayed together for 21 years, up until the time of Ray’s passing. Ray enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool. All of his family and friends will greatly miss him.

Ray is survived by his special friend, Geraldine Reindel; children, Patricia (Lyle) Lien and Michael Kurtz; grandchildren, Andrea Werlinger, Justin Werlinger, and Kimberly (Bryan) Breitling; and his great-grandchildren, Alaina, Kayla, Haylee, and Brindey.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ann; parents, Nick and Anna; and his sister, Pauline.