Wayne attended school in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School in 1960. He served with the National Guard and was a roughneck in the oilfields around Baker, MT. For many years he played the drums in bands with his best friend Burch Palmer; their band was called 'The Walkers'. Later Wayne had his own band, 'Trips Three'. He was always proud that they played at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.
Wayne and Kathy owned the Alta Club in Miles City for many years and then he built the Golden West. After moving to Billings in 2001 he worked at the Billings Airport for the TSA.
Wayne loved his three sons and they always looked up to and respected their father. He was so proud of all of their accomplishments. All three young men have gone on to be very successful. He was always at all the boys' sporting events cheering them on and was grinning from ear to ear at their college graduations.
Wayne was always open to conversation with anyone and everyone. Over the years so many people were drawn to his spirit, sense of humor, and kindness. It was easy to call Wayne Kurtz a dear friend.
Wayne and Kathleen Ann Brown were united in marriage December 5, 1976 in Baker, MT. They were a loving couple since October of 1973 and recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen Ann (Brown) Kurtz, three sons, Marc Allen Kurtz of Sioux Falls, SD; Dr. Michael John Kurtz of Sheridan, WY; and Matthew Wayne Kurtz of Billings, MT; a son Paul Kurtz and a daughter Jill Meyer; a sister Eileen Feuerherm of Miles City, MT; and a brother Arnold 'Dub' (Lucile) Kurtz of Alexandria, Virginia.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Donna May Hollowell and Yvonne Kurtz, and a brother Louis Paul Kurtz.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Ed Harris says
Wayne was a lifelong friend and I will miss him. Please accept my deepest condolences. I am sorry that I am unable to travel to attend services.
John & Nikki Brown says
Our sincere sympathy to you Kathy and to Marc, Mike, and Matt.
We love you.
John and Nikki
Terry Goff says
I am so sorry for your loss. Wayne was a great guy. I was thinking alot about the Golden West days today and what a great boss he was, after I saw this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the times ahead.
Joe and Sandra Konkright says
Wayne and his family were all good friends of ours and our families. May he join some of the rest of good musicians from Miles City that have passed before and play in the great band in heaven.
Rodney and Marilyn Askin says
Kathy and Family: Our deepest SYMPATHY and PRAYERS go out to all of you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in all of your precious memories… Rodney and Marilyn Askin
Corina D. Venable says
Kathy and family, I am sorry to hear the news about Wayne. He was such a big part of my life when I lived with Burch and Linda. I have always thought of him as Uncle Wayne. I will never forget him coming to the house (what seemed like everyday) to get the money bag for the bar. Later as a teenager, I hated the fact that all of my friends were able to sneak into the bars, but I never could. Wayne & Burch being in the bar business were probably the best guardian angels I could have had growing up in Miles City. I will always have a special place in my heart for Wayne and your family. I am glad that I had the opportunity to know him and call him my friend. May you have the necessary strength to get throuh the coming days. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Corina
Mary and Gordie Gaub says
Kathy and Family, We were very saddened to hear of Wayne’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Doug & Vicky Dahl says
Dear Kathy and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss.
Doug & Vicky
Rita (Bruha) and Bill Hanley says
Kathy and boys, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Once a year if we were lucky enough to travel somewhere, we’d see Wayne at the airport. Always would tell him to tell you hello and would have to tell him how we were connected to the Browns but he’d always give that big smile and and say he’d be sure and pass the message on. God bless his memory.
Bill & Dolores Hainer says
Was such a shock to hear about Wayne. Not only was he a friend he only lived about 8 blocks above us in Billings.
We were on the road with Wayne with the Tripps Three and have lots of memories from that time.
Met one of your sons that worked a Costco and was going to SD to be a Tennis Pro. Very likable person.
John Jackson says
I was so sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing. Another musician in Rock-n-Roll Heaven. R.I.P. old friend.
Marla Hoffman says
I met Wayne in 1966 when him and my 1st husband(Gary Mundon) played in the Walkers band. He was a special person sorry for your lose. RIP Wayne
Geri Gall Northrop says
Kathy and family, I was very saddened to hear of Wayne’s passing. He was a great guy and a terrific boss during the many years I worked at the Golden West. He always told great stories and I’m happy to be able to call him a friend. I have many memories of him from years ago, but my most recent memory was 2 years ago in the Billings airport when I was returning to MN after my own father’s death. Wayne recognized me right away from all those years ago, told me how sorry he was to hear of my dad’s passing. He asked about my daughters and his whole face lit up when I asked about each of you. He was very proud.:) He then proceeded to surprise me and bump me to first class for my flight home. When he did that I knew he was exactly the same as I remembered him…always doing something to make others happy. May your memories and love for one another bring you comfort in the coming days.
Darold & Judy Brown says
Kathy and family so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Cherish the memories you made together and remember you have all of us to lean on.
john & louise baugatz says
our prayers are with you and your family in this time of need.. we are so sorry for your loss. wayne will be missed dearly he was a great freind to everyone he knew or meet. god bless the kurtz family durning this hard time..
Steven Allena says
My deepest condulences, I enjoyed my time with Wayne working at the Alta Club and always enjoyed seeing him working in Billings. He will be missed
Pete & Debra Nolan says
Our condolences.
ARV DALKE says
So sorry for the family of Wayne. It was so good sitting & talking old times wih him at our last reunion. remember when he & the other band members stayed with us when they played at the pavillion in Spearfish. Rest in peace
Lenore and Eloise Beach says
Our prayers and thought are with you at this time of loss.
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Dear Kathy and family,
We were sorry to hear of Waynes passing. Our hearts and prayers for peace go out to you. Our sincere sympathies,
Tom and Lillian
Tamara Beardsley Choat says
Kathy, Marc, Mike and Matty,
Thinking of you all today, and sending my love. I’ll always remember flying out of Billings and Wayne was working security. It was right after they started getting really strict about carrying lotions/gels/etc. in carry on, and I got mad and didn’t want to throw away my new, expensive lotion away, so I stuck it down my shirt. Then, of course, I got randomly called out for security to get searched, and I was so worried that I was going to get Wayne and he was going to have to be the one to bust me and throw me off the plane! But, I passed security and saw him and he just waved and said hi, like he always did. It always made me feel special that he recognized me … I mean, I’m one out of what, 180 of Kathy’s wild and crazy huge family!
May your many good memories help fill his void.
Love,
Tamara
Roberta (Choate) Gaudette says
So sorry for your loss. Have many good memories of school days.
Cathi Peila says
Kathy and Family: I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and praying for you all.
Jim and Toni (Murphy) Reetz says
Kathy and family, We are so very sorry for all you are going through. All I can do is pray for you and your sons in these coming days. Our very deepest heartfelt sympathy.
Jo Meidinger says
So sorry to hear about Wayne
He will be missed by many My thoughts and prayers are with now and always. Jo
Mike Mangen says
So sorry for your loss.
I will always remember Wayne at the National Guard Armory as a young Armor Crewman.
I last saw him flying out of Billings to Las Vegas and had a good visit. He was a great guy.
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thought and prayers are with your family.
Scott malloy says
I was so sad to here of Wayne’s Passing. I’m thinking and praying for you.
Vikki Bradley says
Kathy my heart goes out to you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Vikki
Wayne and Carola Moline says
Kathy and family, Ilene and family, we were so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Death is not easy to have to face and cope with, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, may God give you the strength to get thru this sorrowful time.
The Molines. Carola and Wayne.
Joyce & Ken Holmlund says
Kathy and Family!
So saddened to hear about Wayne. You are in my prayers, God Bless!
Nicole Molina says
Wayne is going to be missed so much.he had the greatest personality that made u feel very welcomed in his life
Deb Bartholomew says
Kathy and Family
I was so sorry to hear of Wayne passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of sorrow. Always remember when a loss becomes a memory that memory becomes a treasure.
Deb
Randi and Doug Wenz says
Kathy and family, We are sorry for your loss, hold your memories close. Our prayers are with you. Randi and Doug
Sue Ensign says
I was so sorry to read of Wayne’s passing; he will truly be missed. Marc and Mike were like part of our family during those early years; I will be thinking of all of you as you grieve the loss of your dad. Kathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeremy Ensign says
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
BETTY STEINER says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Wayne was a great person and a friend. Tomorrow will be better. I know from experience.
Betty Steiner
Kelli Klein says
Kathy and family..so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.