Mildred Kurtz, 96, of Kingsley, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Bickford Assisted Living in West Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the Kingsley United Methodist Church. Rev. Roger Madden will officiate. Burial will follow at the Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at the Johnson – Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley. The family will be present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Monday.

Mildred Margaret Minnie Ahrendsen was born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921 in Merrill, Iowa to Nis and Josephine (Karli) Ahrendsen. She attended school in Merrill, Iowa graduating in 1938. Mildred went on to attain her teaching certificate at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

In 1940, after college, Mildred returned to Northwest Iowa to teach in a one room country school in Plymouth County. She met a good looking young farmer named Laverne Kurtz. Mildred and Laverne were married November 26, 1941 in Kingsley, Iowa and they began farming in Plymouth County.

In the 1960’s, Mildred and Laverne moved into Kingsley to operate Sheehan Produce and began taking in eggs and cream. Soon after that they included Nutrena Feeds, and later, DEKALB Seed Corn. Mildred handled the bookkeeping chores at the store. They moved the business to Main Street in Kingsley and changed the name to Kurtz Feed Service.

In November of 1991, Mildred and Laverne, with their extended family and many friends present, celebrated 50 years of marriage at the Kingsley community center. Mildred had many hobbies and interests. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and reader. Mildred and Laverne also enjoyed traveling. She also owned many beloved pet dogs and cats during her life.

Mildred is survived by her children, Gale of Sioux City, IA, Dana (Doreatha) of Bowie, MD and Jeanette (Dave) Saurman of Urbandale IA; 9 grandchildren, Tracy ( Kurtz) Hitchcock, Kelly ( Kurtz ) Gugat, Kari (Kurtz) Jensen, Breann Kurtz, Angela Kurtz, Jason Kurtz, Karli Kurtz, Kristeena (Saurman) Horning, Jessica Saurman-Moore; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and a sister-in law, Phyllis (Kurtz) Monke of Kingsley, IA.

Mildred was preceded in death by her mother and father, Josephine and Nis Ahrendsen; husband of 65 years, Laverne on December 20, 2006; a brother, Melvin Ahrendsen , as well as an infant brother, Bernhart.