White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Curtis Ryan “Curt” Shurtz, 72 years old, of Independence, IA, died following a courageous battle with cancer, Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, IA.

Celebration of Life Services will be 11:00 a.m. – Friday, August 30, 2024, at White Funeral Home, Independence, where there will be public visitation from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Following the services at the funeral home, the Celebration of Life will continue at Denali’s on the River in Independence until 2:00 p.m. Private burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence.

Curt was born September 26, 1951, in Cheyenne Wells, CO, the son of Robert Keith Shurtz and Mary Ellen (Thomas) Shurtz. The family later moved to Independence, IA, where he graduated from Jefferson High School with the class of 1970, alongside many lifelong friends.

Curt learned the value of hard work early in life. He delivered two newspaper routes when he was young, at 14 years old, he worked at West Side Lumber and while in high school he worked at Ozzie’s DX in Independence, where he learned of his love of cars. After graduation he worked road construction and briefly moved to New Mexico. He soon returned home and worked at John Deere Tractor Works.

On July 25, 1975, he was united in marriage to Pamela J. Tegen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence, IA. Together, they had two girls, Julie and Laurie. Curt would often say his girls were “..the best things I ever did.” Curt and Pam made their home in Independence and managed Tegen’s 5¢ and 10¢ Store in downtown Independence for many years and eventually purchased Woods Brothers Wholesale Company in Oelwein, IA. In 2000 Curt went to work for Foster’s Heating and Cooling as an estimator and he worked there for 20 years before retiring. In retirement, Curt enjoyed woodworking, reading, and golfing. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Independence Area Food Pantry and Wapsipinicon Mill.

Curt’s biggest joy was spending time with his family. He loved attending his grandkids’ sporting events, boating, teaching them to play poker and fishing at the pond. He loved the New York Yankees, John Wayne movies and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Curt is survived by his wife of 49 years, Pam Shurtz of Independence, IA; two daughters, Julie (Eli) Beck of Center Point, IA, Laurie (Mike) Wieseler of Ankeny, IA; four grandchildren, Brayden Beck, Kaitlyn Beck, Ashlan Wieseler, and Kyle Wieseler. He is also survived by his brother, Jay Dee Shurtz of Independence, IA; and his sister Kelly (Chuck) Baer of Marion, IA; brother-in-law, Terry (Angie) Tegen of Phoenix, AZ; Scot (Minda) Tegen of Salem, OR; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his parents – in - law, Donald & LaVonne Tegen.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice and the Independence Area Food Pantry.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jasper and staff at BCHC and the Cedar Valley Hospice Home for their care and compassion during this time.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Independence is assisting the family with arrangements.