Lynn David Kurtz

Lynn David Kurtz passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Frenchtown, MT on November 21, 2023.

Lynn was born on June 5, 1953, in Havre MT to his mother Gertrude “Trudy” (Sten) Kurtz and his father Francis “Fran” Kurtz.  Lynn was the second-born of four children to his parents.  His older brother, Vernon, passed away at birth.  Lynn, along with his younger siblings, was raised on the family farm south of Gildford, MT.  Lynn loved being a farm kid and was proud of his roots throughout his life.  He loved growing up so close to other family, and had many cousins that were farm kids as well.  It was common for him to share stories of growing up, and adventures he had with his siblings and cousins.  Lynn graduated high school in 1971 and was in the last class to graduate from Gildford before the school consolidated with Kremlin the following year. 

Lynn then attended Montana State University in Bozeman where he majored in chemistry.  He graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1976 and a master’s degree in analytical chemistry in 1978.  While at MSU, he met Robin Taylor from Malta, MT.  The two were wed in 1976 and later divorced.  Their son, Robert, was born in 1978.  They moved to Mata after graduation, where Lynn initially worked on his in-law’s farm south of Malta.  Other jobs he worked while living in Malta were for Pegasus Mine as an assayer and four years as a city police officer. 

In 1987, Lynn was able to fully pursue his passion in chemistry and took a job with the State Crime Lab in Missoula, MT.  He worked there until his retirement in 2016.  He eventually settled in Frenchtown, MT.  Lynn met Pamela “Pam” Anderson in 1998, and they wed in 2002 surrounded by their children; Rob, Stein, Alicia, and Krag. 

Lynn served as a Reserve Deputy for Missoula County from 1988-2013.  One of his favorite assignments as an RD was to work the home football games at the University of Montana (in particular, the Cat-Griz game) and be stationed near the cannon.  Lynn became an avid member of the local HOG association in Missoula and held an office for several years. 

Lynn was preceded in death by brother Vernon in 1952, father Fran in 1996, sister Nancy Peterson in 2007, mother Trudy in 2009, and former wife Pam in 2010. 

He is survived by brother Lee (Karen) Kurtz of Great Falls, MT; son Rob (Jodi) Kurtz and grandchildren Paige (Gabe) Watson, Brooklynn Forshee-Kurtz, and Hunter Forshee-Kurtz all of Seward, AK; step-son Stein (Lindsey) Anderson and grandchildren Lily MacFarlane, Madi MacFarlane, Savannah Anderson, Ryland Anderson, and Scarlett Anderson all of Two Harbors, MN; step-daughter Alicia (Sam Cooke) Anderson and grandchildren Dominick Cooke, Sylis Cooke, and Wylee Cooke all of Missoula, MT; step-son Krag (Haley Kennedy) Anderson of Colorado Springs, CO; nephew Kody (Gabe) Peterson of Kremlin, MT; nephew Kyle (Kodi) Peterson of Gildford, MT; niece Megan Kurtz of Great Falls, MT; niece Niki Kurtz of Great Falls, MT; as well as cousins, great-nephews, and great-nieces. 

Lynn’s wishes were to be cremated.  The family will be setting a date for a memorial service which will be held in the spring of 2024 in Gildford, MT.