Larry Kurtz

Larry Kurtz lived a life defined by curiosity, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to community—a lifelong entrepreneur, inventor, adventurer, and altruist who touched countless lives across the Midwest and beyond. Born November 29, 1948, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Bessie (Redfern) and Willis Kurtz, Larry was a surprise baby, much younger than his older sister JoAnn and brother Daryl.

His childhood on the family farm in Kanawha, Iowa, shaped his practical ingenuity and adventurous spirit. He raised 4-H animals to sell at the fair, participated in nearly every sport at Kanawha High School, and graduated with the tight-knit Class of 1967. Larry had fond memories of driving his father's John Deere tractor and was especially proud of his mother's work as a traveling home economics instructor, for which she was given a Ford Model T to travel between students' homes. The coolest moment of his young life came when his brother Daryl picked him up from kindergarten on his motorcycle—an early taste of the adventure that would define his years ahead.

Larry's thirst for independence emerged early when he took the train alone to visit his sister JoAnn in Chicago. Following high school, he began liberal arts studies at St. Olaf College before transferring to Iowa State University, where he earned a B.S. in Economics in 1973. During his college years, Larry decided to see the country from a new perspective and rode his Honda CA77 Dream Touring 305 motorcycle all the way to Colorado and back—getting every mile out of that bike until the engine finally failed as he pulled into his brother's driveway in Des Moines.

In 1969, Larry joined the Marine Corps Reserves, completed basic training in California, and served with distinction until 1975. His nieces and nephews fondly remember his unannounced visits during these years, arriving in military fatigues with a duffel bag in hand, always ready for dinner and adventure.

After graduating from Iowa State, Larry began his decades-long career in advertising. He married his first wife, Cathy, and moved to the Minneapolis area to launch his professional life. When that marriage ended, he relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, where he would spend most of his adult life and build the cherished community that sustained him for decades.

In Omaha, Larry found his beloved second wife, Carlynn Hartman, whom he married on July 9, 1995. Their ceremony took place at a natural altar among the trees in Woodhaven Park, with a small group of friends and family in attendance—a setting that perfectly captured their connection to nature and community. Larry and Carlynn built a life centered around service, creativity, and hospitality. They became active members of Second Unitarian Church, where Larry often spoke of his church family and how much he loved the people, camaraderie, and the good work they did to support those in need.

Larry's volunteer work exemplified his generous spirit. He built homes with Habitat for Humanity, championed No More Empty Pots—a nonprofit dedicated to advancing food security and economic opportunity—and helped plant and care for the church garden. His practical ingenuity shone through his perfection of a bin system for raising worms for castings, which he marketed and sold alongside the nutrient-rich "black gold" they produced. He used these worm castings to create thriving vegetable gardens at his church and in his own backyard oasis.

Larry and Carlynn opened their home and hearts to Afghan students, supporting them in achieving their academic goals while sharing cultures and learning from one another. These students became like family—particularly Aziza, who Larry considered his Afghan host daughter and who remained close to him throughout his life.

A talented and well-studied photographer, artist, tinkerer, and inventor, Larry was always ready to create a system or jig to solve any problem or streamline any process. His creative mind never rested, whether he was capturing the perfect photograph or engineering an innovative solution to an everyday challenge.

Larry's life changed profoundly when Carlynn was diagnosed with cancer. He cared for her lovingly until her death in 2015, growing especially close with his brother-in-law Brad, who joined him in caring for Carlynn in her final days. After her passing, Larry converted a pickup truck into a thoughtfully engineered camper, allowing him to travel untethered by hotels. He and Brad embarked on a months-long journey across the country, visiting beautiful natural areas, historical sites, and old friends—a healing adventure that honored both his adventurous spirit and his love for Carlynn.

When home in Omaha, Larry continued volunteering, took up sketching, and stayed active with his widowers group, his church community, and the informal social circle he affectionately called the Bagel Bin Boys. His zest for life and connection to others never dimmed, even as he navigated grief and the challenges of aging.

As Alzheimer's disease made independent living difficult, Larry moved to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in 2024 to be near his nephew BJ Welling and family. True to form, he toured multiple assisted living facilities—judging each one by its lunch—and ultimately chose Dimensions Living, even though their fried chicken didn't quite meet the KFC gold standard. He joined BJ's family for weekly dinners, lake potlucks, and work projects that included building solar systems and chicken coops, and making maple syrup. He especially enjoyed trips to the small-town barber for a haircut, a shave, and conversation.

Though dementia changed how Larry experienced the world, his true personality always shone through. He was never at a loss for advertising or business advice, always ready for an adventure, and eager to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed ice cream parties, happy hours, and the social life at Dimensions Living, receiving excellent, compassionate care from both the memory care staff and St. Croix Hospice in his final months.

Larry died peacefully on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in his room at Dimensions Living, with his nephew BJ and BJ's wife Carol at his side. Despite the challenges of Alzheimer's and prostate cancer, he lived his final years with the same kind, engaging, helpful, and enterprising spirit that defined his entire life.

What good fortune we all had to know and love Larry Kurtz—and to be known and loved by him in return. His legacy lives on in the gardens he tended, the homes he helped build, the students he mentored, the communities he served, and the countless lives he touched with his generous spirit and infectious enthusiasm for life's adventures.