Jerome Kurtenbach

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Jerome Joseph Kurtenbach, 95, died Feb. 26, 2010, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Jerry will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 417 Main St., Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home.  A prayer service was held Tuesday night.

Jerome was born to William and Mary (Diedrich) Kurtenbach on Aug. 5, 1914, in St. Bernard, Neb.  He had two brothers, Art and Jim. He was united in marriage to Celine Nahra on June 18, 1939, in Bettendorf.  She preceded him in death on March 18, 1986. Together Jerome and Celine had four children, Marilyn, Sharon, William and Sunday. 

Jerry was a hard worker, oftenworking several jobs to make ends meet for his family. He was employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Herman Nelson Fan Co., Alcoa, his own Fuel Oil Co., and finally at the Rock Island Arsenal where he worked for 33 years, never once missing a day of work. 

Unbeknownst to his family he received his high school diploma at the age of 69.  He had not had the opportunity to fulfill this educational milestone due to the economic period of his time.

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He was an avid dancer and loved music. He spent hours with family around the player piano singing songs.  He loved to spend time in his garden growing vegetables for his family and friends.  He never showed up to someone’s home without a bag of tomatoes in his hand.  He will always be remembered for his infectious smile, sense of humor, and for always being impeccably dressed.

Jerry enjoyed attending the theater, bird hunting and watching the Nebraska Corn Huskers and the Chicago Cubs.  He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Plus 60, numerous card clubs, CASI, Federal Employee Worker’s Union, and St. Anthony’s Parish. 

Jerome was a husband, father, grandfather, farmer, business man, a Golden Glove Boxer, a phenomenal dancer, a lover of animals, a man of great wisdom, strength, faith and perseverance. 

He was remarried to Elizabeth “Bette” Figgins Kindhart on Oct. 13, 1992.  He gained two stepchildren, three step-grandchildren and numerous great step-grandchildren.

Memorials can be made to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Jerry’s name.

Those left to honor Jerome’s memory include his wife, Bette Kurtenbach, Davenport; his children, Sharon Wagner, Bettendorf; William Kurtenbach, Wausau, Wisc.; and Sunday Combs, Davenport; his grandchildren, Scott Wagner, Craig Wagner, Robert Wagner, Kelly Wagner, Danny Wagner, Kimberly Furness, Marnie Huff, Farrah Ketron, Ashley Eaker, Glen O’Shea, Darcy O’Shea, Polly O’Shea, Sarah O’Shea and Chris O’Shea, and a brother, Jim Kurtenbach.  Stepchildren, Dick (Diana) Kindhart, Hurricane, West Virginia; and Dianne (Gary) Graham, Sherrard, Illinois; three step-grandchildren, Drew Larson, Amanda Wilson, Nick Larson, and numerous step great grandchildren. 

In addition to his first wife, Celine Kurtenbach, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn O’Shea, his brother, Art Kurtenbach, sons-in-law, Steventon Wagner and David O’Shea and his grandson, Tony O’Shea.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Jerome’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com

 


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