Barbara Kurtzer
Barbara Louise Kurtzer, age 87, of Fleming, died March 15, 2020, at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. Barbara was born Dec. 31, 1932, in Denver, the third child in a large family that included three brothers and two sisters: Charlene, Bob, Bill, Norma Jean and Art.
While still in high school Barbara worked as a soda jerk, and a young World War II veteran named Gene began to frequent the shop. Before long, on Dec. 30, 1950, he and Barbara began a 46-year marriage.
After she finished school in the following months, they left Denver for the High Plains of Colorado. They made their home on a farm southeast of the little town of Haxtun and began their own large family of seven children: Linda, Rod, Randy, Ronnie, Steve, Caralee and Larry.
The city girl adapted to country life of raising free-range children, cattle, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, etc., to the extent of never wanting to return to city dwelling. She spent the next 67 years on the farmstead, only moving from it when forced to do so due to health issues.
Through the years, Barbara thoroughly enjoyed becoming grandmother to 18 grandchildren and welcomed them all to her farm home as often as possible.
She also enjoyed the activities of reading, bird watching, listening to Christian radio, many types of sewing crafts, chalk illustration, sketching, and teaching children’s Sunday School, as well as attending church and Bible studies.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, and sons, Steve and Ronnie.
Barbara is survived by her sister, Norma Jean; daughters, Linda and Caralee and husband Mark; sons, Rod and wife Tina, Randy and wife Susan, and Larry and wife Holly; 18 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Barbara will be laid to rest at Haxtun Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Sterling Berean for their special needs fund or any of their children’s ministries or to any Caring Pregnancy Center, in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.
Chaney-Reager Funeral Home in Sterling was entrusted with the arrangements.