Daryl J. Kurtenbach

DARYL JOSEPH KURTENBACH

Daryl passed on to his eternal reward on­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ October 6th, 2023.

A native of central South Dakota, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Effling, on June 13, 1960.  He graduated from Artesian High School; earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell, SD in 1962 and a Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Minnesota in 1965. He practiced briefly in South Dakota before beginning his career in administration with Portage County.  He worked for the Portage County Health and Human Services Department, retiring in 1998 after over 32 years of service.

He had several hobbies, including photography, birds, and reading. Music was his main hobby; he had his own dance band in South Dakota before leaving for graduate school.  He enjoyed playing the guitar, accordion, keyboard, and organ and leading sing-alongs at gatherings.  Daryl entertained on a regular basis at the Lincoln Center for many years, playing the accordion, organ, and keyboard.  He was also one of the organists at St. Mary's Church at Torun for several years.

Daryl was also a founding charter member of the Pok-a-Snoz snowmobile club. He was instrumental in establishing a snowmobile trail network in northern Portage County and was an avid supporter of the sport.

He also was involved in providing off-campus housing for UW_SP students for 42 years. He was part of several committees and groups focusing on improving the quality of housing for students.

He was active at St. Peter Catholic Church, serving on many committees throughout the

years, including the Parish Council, Finance Committee, and Building Committee.  Daryl also served on several community committees.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am, Wednesday, October 11th, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 800 4th Ave., Stevens Point with Rev. John Potaczek presiding.

Visitation will be in the St. Faustina Room of St. Peter only the morning of the funeral, from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

The Rosary will be prayed at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Daryl was preceded in death by his father Casper Kurtenbach, Mother Kathryn Weiss Kurtenbach, and brother James Kurtenbach.

Daryl is survived by Betty, a son Steve (Cara) of Weston WI; daughter Valerie (Jon) Gallagher of Augusta, ME; daughter Kathryn (Jim) Kruse of Lakewood, CO, and six grandchildren, Kayla (Reed) Yehle,  Woodbury MN; Kyle (Morgan) Kurtenbach, Kronenwetter, WI; Shaun Gallagher, Augusta, ME, Emily Gallagher, Augusta, ME, Ben Kruse, Lakewood, CO; and Sam Kruse, Lakewood, CO.  Survivors also include sisters, Phyllis (Dennis) Barringer of Eureka, MO and Vera (John) Rich, of Minneapolis, MN.

We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Aspirus Hospitals and clinics in Stevens Point and Wausau, The Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN, Dimensions Assisted Living Center, Pisarski Funeral Home, and St. Peters Church for their assistance and care.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Daryl's name are encouraged to do so to the St. Peter Endowment Fund.

The Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com