Mrs. Doris Jean Kurz entered eternal life on August 11, 2020 after fighting kidney disease for several years.
Doris Jean Clark was born August 26, 1933 in Ft. Collins, CO. She was the firstborn of Howard Truman Ruth Elda McElyea Clark of Peoria, Illinois. She had two younger brothers, James Devourl and Charles Roger. Doris grew up in Fort Collins and enjoyed trips to her family’s cabin in the mountains each summer. She moved to Denver for high school. Doris was the lead in the class play, “Going on 17”. Not only did she memorize all of her lines for the star role, she also knew all of the lines for each character. She was able to coach them along if any cast members forgot their lines. She continued in theater throughout her life volunteering in community plays in any capacity and working as an extra in movies. She met her next door neighbor Robert Kurz in Denver. He became her sweetheart, husband and father of her 4 children Susan Diane, Jo Ann, Mary Lou and Robert Michael.
Doris was a military wife and mother. She set sail on the Queen Mary in 1953 for England to meet her husband stationed overseas. She was pregnant with Susan as she set sail; certainly not an easy trip. Susan, Jo Ann and Mary Lou were born in England; Robert was born in San Antonio when the family returned to the States. Mom organized the many moves military families endure in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio. She spent most of her adult life once her kids were grown in southern California and Treasure Valley Idaho.
Doris was a devoted mother and often a “single mom” before the term was even coined while her husband was on his military tours of duty and Vietnam War. Doris was selfless with her children by encouraging them in any interest they pursued. She supported their tennis, softball, baseball, swimming, dancing, church and after school activities. She was a Girl Scout and Brownie leader and PTA volunteer. Along with everything she devoted to her children, she completed her business degree at Miami Jacobs Jr. College during the most hectic times of her children’s lives—as teenagers. She went on to have many careers—that is how talented she was—bookkeeping, banking, hospital admissions, social welfare. She also made time to sing with “Young at Hearts” in California, a touring group that brought joy to Senior Centers, and volunteer at hospitals, community centers, playhouses and concert centers.
Doris is survived by:
Her two brothers: James Devourl Clark, and Charles Roger Clark and cousin Walter Clark. Her four children and grandchildren: Susan Diane and Brent Robertson…; Jo Ann Kurz; Mary Lou and Leroy Palmer the III; Robert Michael and Janette Kurz, and all the other people she touched in her life.Her grandchildren: Steven & Michelle Andrews, Harold & Irma Louise Palmer, Kira & Karl Kurz,And by her nieces and nephews: Camille and David Kurz, Consuelo Prieto, Jackie Kurz, Sandra Bliss-Kurz, Josie Austin, Johnny Kurz, Jimmy Kurz, Kathleen Martinelli, Jamie Kurz, Michelle Antoinette Clark and her son Tyler James Clark; and Tammy Clark Marshall
Memorial service and reception is set for August 29 at 1 pm at The Living Church, 2150 W Cherry Ln, Meridian, ID 83642 Phone: (208) 794-2273
Doris Jean was our Mother, our Mom, our confidante. Whenever her adult children needed her, she hopped on a plane or drove to be there. Doris was brave fighting kidney disease. She knew her kids loved her and taught her kids so much about love, kindness, empathy and family. She demonstrated God’s unconditional love to everyone. Our education was witnessing her resiliency and her strong will to move forward. Goodbye Mom, our first love—we see you in our dreams, feel you in our hearts, and will meet you again in Heaven.
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