Myrna Kurth

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Wednesday, December 28 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and 10 a.m. until the time of service at church on Thursday

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Thursday, December 29 at Zion United Methodist Church, 1102 Superior St., Chippewa Falls

Myrna Jean Kurth, 94, of Chippewa Falls, died and peacefully went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Our House Memory Care, Chippewa Falls while under the care of St. Joseph's Hospice.

She was born June 27, 1922 in Chippewa Falls to Ben and Ruby (Bunker) Meyer. She married William Franklin Kurth on June 4, 1944 in Chippewa Falls.

Myrna Jean graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1940 and was the Valedictorian of her class. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and specialized in piano and organ. Myrna Jean taught elementary music in New Lisbon for 2 years while Franklin served in the military. Upon his return, they settled back in Chippewa Falls. Myrna Jean was the organist and choir director at Zion United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls for 50 years. She also taught private piano and organ lessons.

In addition to being a devoted wife to Franklin, Myrna Jean was a wonderful mother, unabashedly doting on her children and her grandchildren. She did everything she could for them, with time and with finances, graciously and always with encouragement. She was also passionate about music, and passed on that love of music to her children and countless students over the years. She also was very generous with her time as well as her money. When she wasn't teaching piano or directing the church choir she was often making music somewhere in the community, visiting care facilities, giving student recitals or accompanying countless junior and senior high school students at Solo & Ensemble Contests. The other huge part of her life was her Christian faith. She supported many different ministries, local and international, and often became personally involved with their varied endeavors. One of her biggest joys was to be able to attend religious workshops and conferences across the country, often calling upon Franklin to fire up the Cessna. She also was a faithful caretaker for her aging parents and for others in the community, even trying to help others in her assisted living home. Myrna Jean was just always busy!

She was a lifelong member of her sorority Chi Omega, active in Mary's Circle at Zion UMC, and a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and Red Hat Society.

Myrna Jean is survived by her children; Leslie (Lowell) Koons of Pekin, Ill. and David (Sally) Kurth of Colorado Springs, Co; grandchildren; Jeremy (Meghan) Koons of Evanston, Il., Tim (Katie) Koons of Martinsburg, WV., Amanda (Adam) Berger of Denver, Co, and Andrew (Courtney) Kurth of Colorado Springs, Co., and great-grandchildren; Franklin Koons, Fiona Berger, Calli Kurth, and Cameron Kurth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ruby Meyer, and her husband, W. Franklin Kurth.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, December 29 at Zion United Methodist Church, 1102 Superior St., Chippewa Falls with Rev. Terri Koca officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, December 28 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and 10 a.m. until the time of service at church on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Zion United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank the caretakers at Our House and especially Annette Shafer for their love, care, and concern for our loved one