Mary Lou Kurtz

Mary Lou Harmon Kurtz, age 77, passed away on February 20, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Mary Lou was born to Miles and Clara Harmon on April 29, 1936 in McClusky, North Dakota. She grew up there on a small family farm and was the fourth of seven children.

Mary Lou along with her brothers and sisters spent their elementary years at a nearby one room/one teacher school that served grades one through eight. There was seldom more than two or three students at a time in each particular grade. Mary Lou spent her high school years in a small town about 30 miles away from the family farm. She graduated from high school in 1954 as the Class Salutatorian. After graduation, she enrolled at Minot State Teacher's College and received a 'Teachers Certificate' in Elementary Education. Mary Lou taught at several rural schools for the next two years and then applied for a flight attendant position. She was hired by Delta Airlines and after she completed her training, she chose Houston as her home base.

After two years in Houston, Mary Lou met native Houstonian Gene Kurtz in 1958 and they married in September of 1960. They had two children, Lynn and Bobby. Mary Lou was an active participant in helping to start Houston Foam Plastics with Gene in 1970. Gene and Mary Lou were happily married for 53 years and enjoyed traveling, weekend farming, cattle tending, horse riding, spending time at their Lake McQueeney retreat, and celebrating with friends and family. Mary Lou loved sharing special times and memories with all those she loved.

Mary Lou was a longtime, active member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church. She especially loved the "Probers Class", her 'Bookies' Book Club, and was involved in many Bible study groups. Mary Lou taught Pre-school at the church for many years and, more recently, was a student mentor to several students in Spring Branch Independent School District schools. Mary Lou was a generous benefactor to many philanthropic organizations. Among those organizations she supported are Texas Children's Hospital, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, the Wesley Community Center in Houston's Fifth Ward, Heifer International, Heart for Africa and many more.

Mary Lou is survived by her loving husband, Gene, her son Robert (Bobby) Kurtz, and his wife, Lisa Kurtz, her daughter, Lynn Floum, and her husband, David Floum, of Atlanta, GA, and seven grandchildren; Cara Floum, Anna Floum, Emma Floum, Mackenzie Kurtz, Miles Kurtz, Ainsley Kurtz, and Wade Kurtz. In addition, she is survived by her four sisters, Virginia Arnold, Barbara Hoffman, Delaree Keller, and Kay Olson, and two brothers, Harley (Bud) Harmon and Tom Harmon, and their families. She will also be missed by dozens of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many in-laws. Mary Lou was blessed to have had a number of friends that she considered part of her family as well. She has touched so many lives and will be missed by all who were privileged to know her. Mary Lou will be remembered as a faithful and humble servant of God, a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and friend to many.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 2.00 pm at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

Arrangements under the direction of Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, Houston, TX.