Ian Stephen Kurtz, a resident of Pomona, passed away Monday, October 7, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Ian was born on September 23, 1944, to James Hugh and Avis Mae (Erbe) Kurtz in Osage, Iowa, and was 80 years old.
Ian attended St. Joseph Parochial School, Hutton Valley School, and then Willow Springs High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture and Southwest MSU. From 1967 to 1971 he served in the U.S. Army repairing radars. After the military, he worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service for 34 years, where he was a soil conservationist, district conservationist, area resource conservationist, and a grassland specialist. He also co-owned I&J Kurtz Farms, LLC with his son, Jamie. On August 1, 1970, he married Camille Koslosky and together they raised 3 children. On September 17, 2017, Ian married Patricia (Morris) Gregory. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, woodworking, spending time with his grandchildren, working on the farm, and sharing his passion for livestock and grass with his family. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.
Ian was preceded in death by his parents, James and Avis; his first wife, Camille; and one grandchild, Rhett Charles Kurtz.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Eric, Heather (Keith), and James (Michelle); and his grandchildren, Brittney, Aiden, Ian James, Kelby, Hailee, and Aida. He is further survived by his faithful companion, Cocoa.
A rosary will be held at Willow Funeral Home October 14, 2024, at 4:30 PM followed by a visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held October 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church at White Church with Father Maurice Chukwukere officiating. A committal with military honors will immediately follow at the church cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ian’s memory to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Mountain Grove or the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com.
