Lawrence E. Kurtz, 90, died Monday, April 19, 2010 at Riverview Manor, Flandreau. He was born in Richland Township, rural Elkton, on December 29, 1919 to Gustav and Iva (Kretsinger) Kurtz. He attended a rural township school District #48 through grade 8. He attended Elkton High School and later Brookings High School, from which he graduated in 1938. During high school he was active in agriculture education and track. In September 1941 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After basic training, Lawrence went to Aircraft and Mechanics School at Keesler Field in Texas. The base at Lemoore, CA (near Bakersfield) was his first duty assignment, where he helped organize a basic flying squadron for training pilots. He was then sent to Douglas, AZ to help establish an advanced flying squadron. Lawrence met Harriet Craig of Omaha, NE and they married in November 30, 1944. Lawrence was sent to England and Guam during WWII. In 1947 Lawrence rose in rank in the new Air Force. Later assignments took the family to Panama and Spain, as well as to bases in Colorado, California, Maine, and Nebraska. While stationed in Madrid, Lawrence was promoted to the newly created rank of Chief Master Sergeant, one of the first to receive that rank. Lawrence retired from the Air Force in 1961, returning to Elkton, SD to farm. During that period, Lawrence was a pioneer in Soil Conservation in Brookings County and received awards for planting trees and the reintroduction of contour plowing. He retired from farming in 1979. Lawrence and Harriet enjoyed golf and wintered in Arizona for many years. Lawrence was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Elks. He served as usher for many funeral Masses at Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church in Elkton for more than 35 years.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Harriet, Elkton, his daughter, Leslie (David) Leech, Elkton, his son, Larry (Joan) Kurtz, Basin, MT, son-in-law, David Larson, Flandreau, eight grandchildren, two brothers, Raymond (Virginia) Kurtz, Brookings and Harold (Susan) Kurtz, St. Paul. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn Larson, his parents, 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Thursday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation is from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Wednesday with a 7:00 pm rosary at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Elkton.