Sister Lucy Kurt, OSF

The Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa, commend to your charity the soul of their beloved Sister Lucy Kurt, OSF, who was born, June 1, 1925, and who departed this life, December 30, 2016 in the 71st year of her religious life.  May she rest in peace!

Kathleen Ruth Kurt was born at 4 a.m. on June 1, 1925 on the family farm, located on Hwy 151, between Monticello and Cascade. This was the year that the highway was being paved, and due to construction, the family doctor got stuck in the mud on the way to the farm. He did get to the house before she was born. Kathleen was the second child born to George and Barbara Weber Kurt. Ralph was the oldest, then Kathleen, Allan, Wilma, Ronald, Karl, and Stephen, who died at nine months of age.

Kathleen attended rural schools through 5th grade, until the time when Ralph became old enough to get a driving permit and they would attend St. Mary’s School in Cascade. In turn, each of the children, when of age, drove the car for the Kurts to attend the Catholic school.

Exciting as her youth was in the heartland of the plain states, Kathleen grew quite normally in knowledge, age, and grace until she began to question what the Lord was trying to tell her by endowing her with special gifts – gifts that seemed to be preparing her for community life. Kathleen felt that the call was alluring and at the same time drawing her even against her will.

The decision was made, Kathleen would aspire to be a Franciscan Sister. She entered the community on August 25, 1945 as a postulant and on August 12, 1946, was received into the community and given the name Sister Mary Lucy. She was very excited about her first teaching assignment at St. Mary’s in Waterloo, followed by Sacred Heart, Dubuque, All Saints in Portland, Oregon, St. Andrew’s in Sibley, St. Thomas Aquinas in Webster City, St. Mary’s in Dubuque, St. Mary’s in Manchester, and at St. Patrick’s in Cedar Rapids as parish minister. Lucy enjoyed all of her assignments during her 52 years of ministry. The Sisters with whom she lived, the people with whom she worked and served, have all been special to her in one way or another.

In 2000, Lucy retired to Mount St. Francis and in her own words, “It’s my belief that if looking for quiet space, peace and joy, I will find it here. Each day I enjoy fine dining, heavenly spiritual experiences and sisterly friendships, all part of daily living. I continue to thank God for the wondrous things He has wrought this far in my life. I look forward to awe-inspiring moments, in the future, contemplating what the union with God will mean for all eternity.”

Sister is survived by her brothers Ronald (Patricia) and Karl (Lolly), her nieces and nephews, and her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared over 70 years of her life.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Stephen, Ralph (Lorraine), Rev. Allan Kurt; and her sister Wilma Priebe (Clifford).