Kurz – We are very sad to announce that Evelyn Kurz (nee Smith), beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024 in Brooks, Alberta. Evelyn was born on February 11, 1929 in a log cabin in Chinook Valley, near Dixonville in the Peace River area of Alberta, to parents Harry and Eva Smith. She excelled at school and had a variety of professions, including camp cook, farmer, and cafe operator, before going to the University of Alberta in Edmonton and settling on her career as a teacher. Evelyn began teaching in Deadwood and then went on to teach in Dixonville, until her retirement. In her later teaching years, she even found time to become qualified and work as a lumber grader in her spare time. She loved travelling – especially her yearly visits to Newfoundland to see her sister Mabel – and was an avid painter and lover of books and the outdoors. Evelyn was also keenly involved with the Strang Presbyterian Church in Dixonville, serving as a Church Elder. In 2009, Evelyn moved to Brooks to live with her daughter Pat and family. She kept busy with travel, reading, and weekends at the Brooks hospital tuck shop; and she was also a faithful member of the Brooks United Church. Evelyn is predeceased by her husband Clarence, her sister Ethel, and her brother Albert. She is survived by sisters, Mabel and Sharon (Henry); her children, Linda (Bert), Lee (Diane), Patricia (Brad) and Roger (Darlene); grandchildren Andrew, Elizabeth, Penny, Amy, Chad, April, Brandi, Jennifer, Megan, Shannon, Nicole, Shelley and great-grandchildren, Craig, Kelly, Brendan, Brittany, Angelina, Freya, Jade, Quinn, Ryder, Cash, Piper, Nolan, Gabrielle, Harley, Madison, Maria, Hayden, and Kenzie. Evelyn dearly loved her family and was very much loved by them. She was a pillar in their lives and will be sorely missed. In accordance with Evelyn’s wishes, no service will be held in Brooks. A Celebration of Life will be held next summer in Dixonville, with the date and arrangements to be announced in the spring. She will be buried next to her husband, and near her mother, father, sister and brother, and other family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B3 or a charity of one’s choice.
Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at
Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD.
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free 866-362-4652
