Bonnie W. Kurtz, 84

Fairmont — A Memorial Service for Bonnie W. Kurtz, age 84, of Fairmont, was held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2010, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Fairmont. Rev. Dr. Winifred L. Mitchell officiated. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Bonnie passed away on Feb. 1, 2010, at the Fairmont Medical Center. Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont was in charge of arrangements.

Bonnie Woodcock Kurtz was born in Elmore, the first child of John and Clara Woodcock joined in the next year by her brother John (Bud) Jr. Bonnie was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church (MO. Synod) and during her years in high school had her first experience teaching Sunday School there. Bonnie received her undergraduate degree from Mankato State Teachers’ College with honors in 1947 with majors in English and Social Studies and a minor in Library Science. Bonnie loved her books. While at Mankato was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and was a geography laboratory instructor for three years.

After teaching high school classes in Elmore, Redwing and Rochester, she left teaching and moved to Washington, D.C., where Bonnie was employed as a legal secretary to George Ball (before he became the Secretary of State) and then to Clark Clifford (before he became Secretary of Defense). Bonnie was married on Dec. 27, 1952 to A. Stanley (Stan) Hamilton at St. John’s Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., and subsequently confirmed at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Arlington, Va. While member’s of St. George’s Parish, Bonnie and Stan were active in the choir, vestry and Christian Education. It was during this time that Bonnie and Stan adopted their daughter, Claire and son, Charles.

Bonnie moved to New England when her husband’s job took him there and lived most of that time in Massachusetts on Buzzard’s Bay. Bonnie was employed as an office manager of a busy trial law office.

Bonnie and Stan both took early retirements and moved to Columbia, Md. When Stan passed away in 1988 Bonnie returned to Minnesota, and bought a home in Fairmont. Bonnie was an active volunteer in many areas of the community. A favorite being a tutor for the Minnesota Literacy Council where she took particular satisfaction in teaching reading and writing to adults who were committed to learning. She was also active as a member of the Ceylon Study Club, the Fairmont Garden Club, the History Club, and the Hospital Auxiliary.

Bonnie was an active member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church serving on the Vestry and numerous church committees. At the state level she was a member of the Episcopal Church Women as a member of the Finance Committee, then as Executive Vice President and later President. At the national level, she was a delegate to the Triennial Episcopal Conventions.

Bonnie met and married Jeremy (Jerry) G. Kurtz also a member of St. Martin’s Sept. 21, 1998. Bonnie and Jerry enjoyed sharing their families together and their many extended travels to Alaska, California, Georgia, Massachusetts and Canada.

Bonnie is survived by her son, Charles Hamilton, of Anchorage, AK; daughter, Claire and grandson George, of Amherst, Mass.; as well as nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her grandparents (Charles and Elizabeth Kurth); parents, brother; husband Stan; and husband Jeremy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent directly to Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church, 102 N. Park Street, Fairmont, MN 56031.