Carolyn Sue Kurtz

MADISON-Carolyn Sue Kurtz, age 72, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2012 at the UW Hospital in Madison. She was born on April 22, 1940, in St. Johns, Illinois, the daughter of Ernest and Norma (Slusher) Neville. Much of Carolyn’s life was shaped through the love and support of the late Lucretia Burroughs of Du Quoin, Illinois and the late Helen Wilkes of Harvey, Illinois. Carolyn was united in marriage to Thomas Kurtz on August 24, 1963 in Harvey, Illinois, six weeks after they met. Early experience as a first grade and nursery school teacher was the first visible stage of a lifelong love of children which reached a peak in her investment in the lives of her grandchildren. Her own challenging childhood gave a need to love and a need to care that warmed the lives of those around her and led to many deep and lasting friendships. Carolyn held a variety of jobs “putting hubby through” as a loan typist in Palo Alto and coming out of retirement decades later to serve as “hubby’s” editorial assistant, but the real work and focus of her life were her children and grandchildren. She was devoted to her grandchildren, and they will have cherished memories of their “Makka” and pass along stories about her love and generosity to future generations. Carolyn enjoyed cooking. Her annual Christmas cookie production at times topped tens of dozens and was eagerly awaited by many friends and family. She worked as a volunteer in many capacities, including many years with Hospice and most recently in the classrooms of her grandchildren. She enjoyed many of the adventures she shared with her husband and family, living for a time in Australia and France with shorter visits to many other places in the world. Carolyn is survived by her husband, Tom; two children, Marci (Chris) Paulsen and Kevin (Melissa) Kurtz; seven grandchildren, Rhiannon, Cameron, Calvin, Zack, Nick, Griffin, and Beckett; five brothers, Jerry (Judy) Neville, Tom (Lynn) Neville, Dean (Lou) Stanley, Bob (Lori) Neville and Kevin (Jennifer) Neville, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, David Stanley. Funeral services will be held at MIDDLETON COMMUNITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 645 Schewe Road (2 mi. west of the Beltline) Middleton at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 19, 2012, with the Reverend James Iliff presiding. A gathering and time for conversation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Middleton Community United Church of Christ, Covenant Presbyterian Church, or the Glenn Stephens/Falk Teacher Endowment Fund. A gathering and time for conversation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. Funeral services will be held at MIDDLETON COMMUNITY CHURCH, 645 Schewe Road (2 mi. west of the Beltline) Middleton at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 19, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Middleton Community United Church of Christ, Covenant Presbyterian Church, or the Glenn Stephens/Falk Teacher Endowment Fund.