Donald C. Kurtz

Donald ‘Don’ C. Kurtz, 85, of Groton, SD, died Friday, July 11, 2025, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD.

Donald Charles Kurtz was born July 14th, 1939 to Otto and Gladys Caroline Rose (Haase) Kurtz in Webster SD. He grew up in the Stratford area working his way through high school for Bill and Penny Jark and Bob Hanson as a farm hand helping support his parents and siblings. He graduated in 1957 from Stratford High school and started working at the South Dakota Wheat Growers Association in 1957 making his way from Manager to Line Superintendent. He enjoyed hunting, spending time watching all the grandkids’ sporting events, mowing his yard on his model A tractor, and cooking for his family.

He married Dixie Lee Hitchcock at the United Church of Christ in Brentford SD on June 9th 1962. They made their home in Columbia, SD where they welcomed 3 children, Randy, Kristi and Ryan. Don continued to live in Columbia after Dixie died in 1988 until moving to Groton in 2011. Through the years Don always considered Columbia his home and loved going back to look at crops and visiting with friends.

Grateful for sharing his life are his children: Randy (Lynne) Kurtz, Kristi (Paul) Eckrich, and Ryan (Diane) Kurtz; his grandchildren: Wyatt (Megan) Kurtz, Clayton (Aimee) Kurtz, Nick (Emily) Johnson, Landon Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Kasey (Bri) Kurtz, Courtney (Matt) Kolbeck, Kaden Kurtz and Camryn Kurtz; great-grandchildren: Wrenley Jade Kurtz, Jorie Quinn Kurtz, and Jett Kolbeck; and one brother: Gary (Marilyn) Kurtz.

Preceding Don in death are his parents, Otto and Gladys, wife, Dixie, sister Barbara Urbanski, brother, David Kurtz, his great-granddaughter, Gracie Johnson, half brothers Edward and Orville Kurtz, and half sister Margaret Ranger.

‍