Sherry Kurtz

ISHPEMING, MI- Sherry Lee Kurtz, age 72 of Ishpeming, passed away on Monday February 24, 2025 at her home with her family while under the loving care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

Sherry was born on March 2nd, 1952 at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette to Daniel and Eileen Isaacson. Sherry graduated from the Ishpeming High School Class of 1970 and went on to St. Lukes School of Nursing graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1972. After graduation and becoming a Registered Nurse, she worked at Marquette General Hospital, Norlite Nursing Center, and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, where she spent 20 years. This past fall, Sherry just completed her continuing education to remain a Registered Nurse, as she always felt that it was something she valued to keep.

Sherry grew up in the United Presbyterian Church in Ishpeming, Michigan where she was on the session and taught Sunday School. In 1973, Sherry and her husband David became proud members of the First Presbyterian Church of Marquette, and they are still avid members to this day.

In her free time, Sherry enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Ryan and Nicole Kerkela, and family. She also enjoyed reading, knitting, and attending hockey games with her family. She was a longtime season-ticket holder and supporter of NMU Hockey seeing hundreds of games between 1991 and 2024. She was even in attendance when NMU played in the Championship game in 2023 in Mankato, Minnesota with her grandson Ryan. Sherry also enjoyed attending the Strawberry Festival in Chassell and the Blueberry Festival in Marquette with her family each year. Her family will always remember her as someone who put others before herself and had a caring heart. Even as her health continued to fail, she still actively watched her grandchildren play and officiate hockey until her final days through her Ipad and television through live streams.

Sherry is survived by and will be deeply missed by her husband David Kurtz whom she was happily married to on June 30th, 1973, and has been married 51 years. Sherry is also survived by her daughter Kristy (Michael E.) Kerkela, as well as her grandchildren Ryan and Nicole Kerkela of Negaunee. Sherry is also survived by sister Debbie (Michael) Schiedel of Ishpeming, as well as her nephew Josh and niece Linda, and sister-in-law- Joan Graves of New York.

A Private Inurnment will take place at the Memorial Garden of the First Presbyterian Church of Marquette on a later date.

Sherry’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.