Obituaries

Louise Hemphill Kurtz, 95

April 29, 2020

Louise H. Kurtz, 95, resident of Luther Acres Skilled Nursing, Lititz, died suddenly of COVID-19 on April 29, 2020. She was born and grew up in Altoona, PA, the daughter of the late Harriet and John Hemphill. She was the oldest of “the four girls” as they were known, predeceased by her sisters Helen (Waag), Marjorie(McCowan) and is survived by her sister Dorothy (Dottie Lynch) of Latrobe, PA.

Louise met her husband, Jacob of 69 years as students at Penn State University shortly after which Jake left for World War II. They married immediately after he returned from the war and moved to Jake’s hometown of Ephrata, PA into a Mennonite culture. Louise fully embraced this new life with bumps along the way. She and Jake then had four children: Nancy (Boyd), Deborah (Apgar), Thomas Kurtz (Sarah) and Bonnie Kurtz, who died at birth.

Louise had a big personality who didn’t blend into the background. She liked to laugh and be engaged with others. She especially loved her grandchildren: Patrick (Boyd), Whitney (Parker), Jason (Apgar), Josh (Apgar), Ben (Apgar), Marshall (Kurtz), Eleanor (Kurtz). Their memories of their spirited grandma include attempting to “make” them bowl with her, Hershey Park, spending time at the shore, cooking with her and being cooked for and much much more. Most of all her spirit lives on in them.

Even though Louise was 95 years old she was still interested and engaged in those around her and wanted to know their “stories”. She trusted that Jesus was with her throughout her life and and was at peace at the very end even through the storms of a ravaging disease and a quarantine in which she couldn’t see her loved ones.

Our family wants to give special thanks to Mary Schreiber, Therapeutic Recreation Manager at Luther Acres for her loving personal care to our mom and to our family during this difficult time.

And we give our deepest appreciation and love to Bob Heim, RN, Masonic Village Hospice Nurse who formed a relationship with mom off and on over the last several years

If you’d like to do something in Louise’s name please donate food or money to a food bank.

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Condolences to the Family

June 06, 2020

To the family of Mrs, Kurtz,
Gone, But Not Forgotten.  I held on to the original article of her passing in the news with the intent of sharing it with my co-workers at Dr John Weierbach’s dental office.  Her passing happened just as we shut down the office as the coronavirus swept across oour world.  And now as a reminder of those we have lost and how deeply this has changed our lives, our beloved, Mrs Kurtz deservedly makes the front page. I had the pleasure of seeing Mrs Kurtz in my dental chair and enjoying our visits for so many years as her dental hygienist.  I hope the care I provided her was as great as what she brought to me and our whole team.  She certainly has left her mark and will be fondly and greatly missed.  
Nina Laliberte, RDH

May 29, 2020

Louise was and is a joyful and caring person. I liked her a lot. I wish peace and healing for her family. God bless all of you.
Kathy Hess

May 14, 2020

With Deepest Sympathy for the loss of your Mother. Will remember her smile & laugh.
Linda Burkholder

May 12, 2020

To all Kurtz family members, my deepest sympathies for our loss.  I say Our, because Aunt Weezie was a very important and significant part of my life too.  She was beautiful inside and out.  Many memories of visiting the home in Ephrata, the jersey shore summer house and always an abundant food spread to welcome all!  Loving, caring, accepting and giggling Aunt Weezie. Recent years I had the pleasure of regular phone conversations with her and she was so proud to share good news of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as ask me about me and my children.  I will cherish those phone calls always!   All were blessed to have her in our lives, and I hope everyone takes comfort that she has joined Jake in heaven.  
Carol Lynch

May 12, 2020

Nancy,  Our deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother.  Our mother, Shirley, had the pleasure to be her roommate for the year before her passing in February.  She was a bright light for her and our family- she spoiled our kids on our visits.   Louise helped us through our mom’s decline, and we thank Christ for her presence.    
Andy and Loretta Nolt

May 12, 2020

My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
Sylvia Sheaffer

May 12, 2020

Dear Kurtz and Hemphill families, 
We were so sad to see that Louise is gone from us. She was such a delightful and joyful roommate for our mother at Luther Acres this last year (Feb 2019- Feb 2020). She was always cheerful and took an interest in each of us as we’d visit our mother, Shirley Nolt. I’m sure everyone at Luther Acres misses her bright shiny spirit. We pray for your comfort through this time.
With much love, 
Margaret Nolt Marsch

May 11, 2020

Dear Kurtz Family,
I was so sad to hear of your mother’s passing. My mother, Shirley Nolt, was her roommate at Luther Acres until her passing on February 15th. We loved visiting with Louise when we’d stop in to see Mom. She was such a wonderful friend to Mom, so spunky and bright. We appreciated that she engaged Mom in conversation and always told her how pretty she was. I appreciated her love for sparkly jewelry. She always looked beautiful! I was fully intending to check in on her regulary even after Mom died, but only got two visits in before the doors were closed to visitors. Our families have often spoken of her since then. We hope the peace of Jesus Christ keeps you during these difficult times as you grieve the loss of your sweet mother. So grateful God gifted her with such a long and happy life.  
Sincerely,
Christine Hash for the Nolt family (six of us with spouses, all in Lancaster County, all missing Louise)

May 11, 2020

Dear Kurtz families; my mother, Shirley, was Louise’s roommate for a year until mother’s death in February.  All my siblings came to love Louise.  She and my mother were so good for each other.  We are thankful for their dear late friendship.  All of our thoughts are with you. Louise was always a bright part of our visits.
Julie Hunt (one of Shirley Nolt’s daughters)

May 11, 2020

My sympathy to all the family.  I have very fond memories of Louise and Jake when they were in Ephrata.  We really had some good times over the years.
Pam Critchfield

May 11, 2020

To all the Kurtz family you have our sincere sympathy. I have alot of good memorys at your house in Ephrata your mother was my 2nd mother. also good times at the bay. Your mother wanted me to come see her (talked with her at your dads service) and i didn’t get there time goes by so fast. can’t belive i’ll be married 50 years this summer. We lost our youngest son last summer so we are working threw that. Hope you are all well and so sorry you couldn’t be with her at the end. God Bless John

May 11, 2020

Nancy,
My condolences to you and the family. 
Amy Dieter

May 11, 2020

My deepest sympathy to all of Louise’s family. Fond memories of so many years ago.   Love ,   Joan  Kurtz

May 11, 2020

Dear Nancy, Deb, Tom and families,  I am very sad to learn of your mother’s passing; I extend my deep sympathy to all of you. I know that the loss of a mother is always a special kind of grief, but one that is partnered with the comfort of her constant spiritual presence. My encounters with Louise were always joyful, and her spirit and charm were always uplifting.  May the happiest memories of your life with her help to soothe and comfort all of you.  Warm regards, Dave Wagner

May 10, 2020

My deepest sympathy.
Bill
 

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