OBITUARY

Audrey Lenore (Tharp) Kurtz

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Audrey Lenore (Tharp) Kurtz passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the age of 90. She was born on June 25, 1931, to Mamie Pearl (Smith) and Walter Tharp in Gonzales, Texas. She lived in Gonzales County and attended Gonzales schools. She worked at Continental Produce, department, and retail stores and at several businesses she and her husband owned. 

She married Lloyd Morris Kurtz on March 17, 1949, in Wrightsboro. They had 68 years together before his passing in February 2018. She was a member of the Memorial Heights Baptist Church, where she attended church and Sunday school. 

She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Nicknamed “Cotton” at a young age by her grandfather, her amazing memory entertained family and friends with stories of her childhood and life experiences. 

She was an avid reader, solved crossword puzzles, finished numerous jigsaw puzzles, and enjoyed an occasional trip to Louisiana. Attending the Tharp reunion annually, she enjoyed visiting with family and friends, telling stories, and playing dominos. After her diagnosis, she decided to trust in her Lord and stay in Gonzales to be among her family and friends. 

Audrey is lovingly remembered by her son, Donnie (Patty) Kurtz, grandchildren, Amy (Russel) Hempel, Christopher (Laurie), all of Victoria, Becky Jo (Scott) Tolle of College Station, and Joey Alford of Gonzales, great-grandchildren, Ashley (Buster Hansel) and Brittany Hempel of Victoria, Scooter Tolle of College Station, and Ethan Alford of Gonzales, siblings, Bonnie York, Walter Tharp, Betty Nell (Carie) Tullis, James (Judy) Tharp, and Larry (Lisetta) Tharp. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lloyd, daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Joe Alford, sister Marjorie, brothers Winston and Earlie, and one infant brother.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to members of the Hospice Care Team, the staff at the Texan Nursing and Rehab, Donna Kay Malik, Shirley Carleton, Ellen Lehnert, Marion Baker, Darren and Pam Parker, Edith Warren, Sammie Malatek, Barbara Koricanek, Judy Munoz, and all her other many friends and caregivers that are too numerous to mention. 

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022, from 9 AM until 11 AM, in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery with Rev. Clint Lowery officiating. Pallbearers include: Russel Hempel, Christopher Kurtz, Joey Alford, Darren Parker, James Tharp, and Larry Tharp. Honorary pallbearers: Scott Tolle, Carie Tullis, Walter Tharp, and the Sunday School class at Memorial Heights Baptist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made one of the following, or to a donor of one’s choice:

Memorial Heights Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2, Gonzales, Texas 78629.

Pecan Branch-Smith Cemetery (c/o Tyree LaFleur), 3267 State Highway 97 East, Gonzales, Texas 78629.

Care Team Hospice, 1119 Water Street, Gonzales, Texas 78629.

Friends and family may leave their condolences and sign the guestbook by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. 

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