Avis (Nelson) Kurtz, age 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 31, 2019 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, ND.

Avis Nelson was born October 21, 1924 in the New Home area, south of Sykeston, to Alvin and Mabel (Buskness) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at Lunde Lutheran Church, rural Woodworth.  Avis attended the Hebron Consolidated School until 1940, when the family moved into Sykeston.  She graduated from Sykeston Public School in 1942.

Avis attended Valley City State College and received her teaching certificate.  Avis taught in a one room school house, rural Stutsman County.  She often told stories of how early she had to arrive to get the wooden structure warming before students were scheduled to start their day; and of the cold horse drawn sleigh rides back and forth in the winter time.   During WWII, Avis moved to Seattle for a short time.  Upon returning to Sykeston, she met a man “with gorgeous black curly hair”, Clarence Kurtz. They were married November 5, 1947 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Sykeston, ND.   In the 1950s, Clarence and Avis purchased a farmstead in Hawksnest Township, and lived there til they moved to Sykeston in 1997.  Along with household chores and gardening, Avis helped milk cows.  In 1961, the couple was blessed with a son, Brent.  Their daughter, Beth was born in 1965.  Avis loved the title of “Mom”.   She took great care and pride in her children. While they attended Sykeston Public School, Avis served as Band Mothers President and was very involved with the PTO.  Avis was an active member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Sykeston.  She attended Bible studies, LWML, LLL, and also taught Sunday School.

Avis enjoyed flower gardening and embroidery.  She had some of the nicest gardens and every new bride in the area had a set of her embroidered dish towels.  Avis also canned in the fall.  Her family thought she made the best pickles, chokecherry jam and scalloped corn.  

Avis loved her family and friends.  She so looked forward to them stopping by for a cup of coffee and visit.  Her eyes sparkled when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would appear at the door.   “Come here, I want to squeeze you” were her first words to them.  She truly was the Best Grandma Ever!

Avis is survived by her son Brent (Shelly) Kurtz, Sykeston; daughter Beth (Steve) Tweed, Palmer, AK; five granddaughters, Jayme (Darin), Kadee (Joey), Kali (Brady), Izabel, and Hattie.  Six great-grandchildren, Raegan, Ryder, Remmy, Weston, Berett, and Kase.  A sister Anna Mae Suckut, Jamestown.

Avis is preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents, two brothers Helmer and Verdie Nelson, two sisters Florence Keller and Lillian Kutz.

Visitation One hour prior to the funeral at church.

Funeral Service Wednesday, June 5th at 10:30AM in Grace Lutheran Church, Carrington.

Burial will be held at the Sykeston Cemetery.