Obituary of Lynus Kurtenbach

Lynus “Kurt” Kurtenbach, 84, passed away September 2, 2018 while he was vacationing in Chelan, Washington.  He was born June 8, 1934 to Henry Matt and Brenadine Louise (Funke) Kurtenbach in Mitchell, South Dakota, the oldest of six children. He served in the U.S. Navy from March 12, 1952 to September 24, 1954.  In 1960, Lynus graduated from South Dakota State College with a BS degree in Mathematics. He married Mary Alice Maynard on January 25, 1964, and they enjoyed 54 wonderful years together.

A 62-year resident of Olympia, Washington, Lynus was employed by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries from April 1960 to his retirement in September 1987.  He worked 27 years, was retired 31 years, and was proud that he had been retired longer than he worked.

Lynus had many hobbies and interests.  He and his wife built their forever home for 51 years on Eld Inlet in the Klahanie neighborhood.  Together they raised oysters, went fishing, enjoyed the water and the NW sunsets, and maintaining the home. He loved playing the guitar; chopping, stacking, and burning wood; playing tennis; razor clam digging. A car guy, he enjoyed restoring his 1975 Corvette Stingray and working on all his cars with his mechanic friend Bill Strobl, and his 44 Farmall Cub Tractor. He enjoyed pheasant hunting; and taking road trips with his wife.  He looked forward to his whiskey and soda, brandy, a cold Olympia beer and telling stories. He loved playing games, including poker (favorite game: Omaha hold’em), hearts, and Mexican train—as long as they were his rules. He also loved taking care of his birds (hummingbirds and songbirds), making sure they were fed, and recording the amount of NW rain in his rain gauge on the deck.  Lynus always kept all of his equipment clean and organized.  His organization carried over to the house; his side of the clothes closet had everything in place, tennis shirts on white hangers, work shirts on black hangers, etc., which was in stark contrast to his wife’s side. Over his lifetime some of the other things he loved to do was snow ski, SCUBA, camp, water ski, play and umpire softball, and shoot guns.

An Olympian resident for 62 years, he was an active member of Gyro’s for 15 years, as well as a member of the Olympia Corvette Club, Olympia Ski Club, and Toastmasters.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Mary Alice (Maynard) Kurtenbach; son, Troy Lee Kurtenbach, his wife, Heather, two grandchildren Talon and Brynn; daughter, Amy Lyn (Kurtenbach) Weber, and her husband, Andy.

He is also survived by his brother, Eldon Kurtenbach; sisters, Lavonna (Kurtenbach) Seitz and Sherrie (Kurtenbach) Moore. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Lyle Kurtenbach; and sister, Dielda (Kurtenbach) Echman.

An informal service to share stories and lore about Lynus over snacks and beverages will be held Sunday, September 30, 2018, 11 a.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.