Larry John Kurtz

Larry John Kurtz, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 8, 2025. He was born on March 25, 1939, to John and Reta Kurtz in Eudora, KS.

Larry grew up alongside his beloved siblings, Donna and Emmet, with whom he shared many childhood adventures and countless Sunday lunches as adults filled with laughter, stories, and jokes. As children and adults, Larry and Emmet liked to tease their sister Donna and everyone else around them. After attending the University of Kansas from 1956–1958, he began a long and dedicated career with the Kansas Department of Transportation, where he worked faithfully for 40 years. At the same time, he worked their 100-acre farm, which Larry referred to as his “hobby.” Never one to shy away from hard work, he and his wife, Dixie, their kids and grandson John, later ran a cleaning business together for 17 years. Larry also proudly served his country as a member of the Kansas National Guard for four years.

On April 8, 1960, Larry married the love of his life, Dixie. For 67 years (married 65) they shared a marriage full of devotion, joy, and laughter. Larry wrote her poems and songs throughout their life together and showered her with gifts and cards. Together they raised three children, Gina, Shirley, and Larry Lee, whom Larry adored and shared his kindness, knowledge, compassion, and enthusiasm for living life to the fullest.

Larry will be remembered as a man who worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and gave freely of his time and talents. He was happiest outdoors while farming, mowing his yard, or fixing anything for anyone who asked. He enjoyed trips to the casino, telling jokes, singing songs he made up, telling anyone who would listen which highways he helped build (almost all of them!) and filling his home with laughter. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He loved talking about his family and the accomplishments of his children. He also enjoyed time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, filling car rides from school and other places with lots of songs and stories. More than anything, he cherished time with Dixie, his best friend and lifelong partner.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, John and Reta Kurtz; his brother, Emmet Kurtz; his son, Larry Lee Kurtz, and son-in-law Chuck Busch. He is survived by his loving wife, Dixie; daughters Gina and Shirley (Joe); his sister, Donna (Bob-who was another brother to him); 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces/nephews. As a testament to the man he was, there were many friends of his grandchildren who also called him “grandpa”.

His family will miss his laugh, smile, kindness, stories, songs, infinite wisdom, and everything that made him special. Life will never be quite the same without him, but his legacy of love, laughter, and generosity will live on through all who knew him.

Private family graveside services will be held later.