David “Dave” Kurk, 78, of Eitzen, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at his home.
He was born March 20, 1933, at home in Eitzen to Herman and Margaret (Wuennecke) Kurk, Jr. Dave was a 1951 graduate of Caledonia High School. In 1953, he was drafted in the United States Army and served two years in the Korean Conflict until being honorably discharged. On Oct. 19, 1957, Dave married Jean Linzenmeyer at Grace United Methodist Church in New Albin, Iowa. In March of 1957, he started his own bulk milk trucking company with only one bulk farm pick-up truck. His company later became a large over the road trucking company, David Kurk, Inc., which included 55 semi-trucks and 70 trailers. The company also owned and operated two tank wash facilities, one in Keokuk, Iowa and one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dave was a man who deeply cared for his employees.
He faithfully served on the Eitzen Village Council for 21 years and was a charter member of the Eitzen Lions Club. Dave was also a member of the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191 and VFW Houston County Post 3833, both of Caledonia. He actively served on the Eitzen Fire Department, retiring after 34 years of honored service. Dave was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. He also enjoyed driving collectible and antique cars and belonged to the Allamakee Antique Auto Club. It was always a privilege for him to drive the Parade Marshall in the Eitzen Fourth of July Parade for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Jean of Eitzen; two children, Lori (Joel) Cheney of Roseville, Minn. and Scott (Ann) Kurk of Caledonia; his daughter-in-law, Vicky Kurk of Spring Grove, Minn.; five grandchildren, Ellissa Kurk of Tampa, Fla., Amy (Eric) Halverson and Tayler Kurk, both of Caledonia, Jesse Kurk of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Colin Kurk of Rochester, Minn.; one great-granddaughter, Tyla Halverson; one brother, Herman G. (Doris) Kurk of South Amana, Iowa; one nephew, Randy Kurk of Iowa City, Iowa; one niece, Kathy Kurk of South Amana, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Steve Kurk; and his nephew, Bruce Kurk.
Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at 3 p.m. at the Caledonia United Methodist Church, 308 N. Kingston St. Pastor Mark Bengtson will officiate. Burial will be in St. Luke’s U.C.C. Cemetery, Eitzen, with military honors by the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191 and VFW Houston County Post 3833, both of Caledonia, and the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard. Friends may call at the Caledonia United Methodist Church on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and also on Friday from 2 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home, Caledonia, Minn., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.
