Leonard H. Kurtzhals Jr.

DALLAS, Texas — Leonard H. Kurtzhals Jr., 91, Dallas, Texas, formerly of the Coleridge and Hartington areas, died Jan. 16, 2022, at the Parson’s House Assisted Living, Dallas.

Funeral Services will be Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m., at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.

Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington, with military rites by the Hartington VFW Post #5283.

Pallbearers will be Terry Dendinger, Scott Dreesen, Norbert Pinkelman, Gary Kaiser, Dorian Davili, and Ty Kurtzhals.

Visitation and a vigil service were Jan. 25 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Due to family health concerns, the family requests that face masks be worn for the visitation and funeral.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Leonard Henry was born Nov. 30, 1930, at Coleridge, to Leonard Sr. and Clara (Janssen) Kurtzhals. He grew up in the Coleridge area on a family farm while attending the former Coleridge High School where he played football. In 1952, he entered the U.S. Marine Air Corps, where he served in the Korean war as an aircraft mechanic stationed in Santa Anna, Calif., and Japan. He was discharged in 1954, and returned to farming. Leonard married Rita Ann Schmidt July 21, 1953, in Coleridge. Following the wedding ceremony at St Michael’s Catholic Church, the couple traveled in style through the town of Coleridge in a lumber wagon pulled by a team of mules. His passion and pride was farming for over 55 years. All animals loved him and he loved all animals. His later years were spent in Dallas. He could often be seen riding his tricycle around the neighborhood or enjoying a good game of dominoes.

Leonard is survived by two daughters, Linda (Mark) Craig, Dallas, Texas; Jeanie (William R) Smith, Dallas, Texas; two sons, Stewart (Pam) Kurtzhals, Kearney, and Michael (Esther) Kurtzhals, Dallas, Texas; his four grandchildren, Aarnes Smith, Savannah Smith, Michelle Kurtzhals and Ty Kurtzhals; one great-grandchild, Lelah Jewel Smith; his sister, Kathi Maier, Papillion; and his sister-in-law, Carol Kurtzhals, Yankton, S.D.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, in 1996; parents, brothers, Robert “Bob” Kurtzhals, 2008, and James “Jim” Kurtzhals, in 2021; and brother-in-law, Gene Maier, in 2000.