Harold J Lurz was born September 26, 1939 north of Valentine Nebraska to Herbert & Ida (Schulz). He passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022 at his home in Valentine.
As the fourth child of seven- he grew up on the family ranch north of Crookston; attended Crookston Grade School, and graduated Valentine High School in 1957.
He met his wife Sandy in Valentine and they were married September 24, 1961. The couple moved to Valentine where he worked on a few ranches, and later on helped with a construction crews in town when he was drafted into the Army in April 1963. The couple packed up and moved to an Army base in El Paso Texas, followed by another base in Lawton Oklahoma. They moved back to the Sandhills in April 1965 where he began his true passion of ranching. After a few years on a ranch north of Valentine, in May of 1968 they purchased land north of Crookston that they would call home for 50 years. They settled into their beloved home where they raised two kids, cows, pigs, chickens and a multitude of crops until health forced them to move to Valentine in 2018
With a strong work ethic, and a passion for ranching Harold enjoyed his livestock and was dedicated to his farm and ranching lifestyle
In his younger years he loved rifle & bow hunting, had great pride in his guns- and was claimed an excellent shot. He loved his cows, green grass, farming & ranching, John Deere tractors and throwing a few thousand nickels in the machines at the casino against mothers’ better judgement
Always one that wished everyone would just get along- he was a kind, gentle & thoughtful compassionate man, always wanting others to be happy either sharing a joke or a funny story.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church
He loved and was dedicated to his family. He leaves his wife of 60 years Sandy, daughter Lisa and husband Duane Bellin, son Gerry Lurz and wife Jackie, and four grandchildren that he adored- Austin (Talynn), Bailey (Austin), Justin & Ashley (Erick) along with six little people he cherished. He is also survived his brother Gene of Lakeview & sister Ruby Luttrell of Tipton, Indiana.
He is preceded in death by his parents Herbert & Ida, sisters Arlene & Viola, and brothers Melvin & Carl.
Funeral service for Harold Lurz, age 82 of Valentine will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine. Burial with military rites will follow at Harmony Cemetery north of Valentine. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 5:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Mr. Lurz passed away on Jan. 22 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine.