Harold J Lurz was born September 26, 1939 north of Valentine to Herbert and Ida (Schulz). He passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022 at his home in Valentine.
As the fourth child of seven - he grew up on the family ranch north of Crookston; attended Crookston Grade School, and graduated Valentine High School in 1957.
He met his wife Sandy in Valentine and they were married September 24, 1961. The couple moved to Valentine where he worked on a few ranches, and later on helped with construction crews in town when he was drafted into the Army in April 1963. The couple packed up and moved to an Army base in El Paso, TX, followed by another base in Lawton, OK. They moved back to the Sandhills in April 1965 where he began his true passion of ranching. After a few years on a ranch north of Valentine, in May of 1968 they purchased land north of Crookston that they would call home for 50 years. They settled into their beloved home where they raised two kids, cows, pigs, chickens and a multitude of crops until health forced them to move to Valentine in 2018.
With a strong work ethic, and a passion for ranching Harold enjoyed his livestock and was dedicated to his farm and ranching lifestyle.
In his younger years he loved rifle and bow hunting, had great pride in his guns and was claimed an excellent shot. He loved his cows, green grass, farming and ranching, John Deere tractors and throwing a few thousand nickels in the machines at the casino against mothers’ better judgement.
Always one that wished everyone would just get along, he was a kind, gentle and thoughtful compassionate man, always wanting others to be happy either sharing a joke or a funny story.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church.
He loved and was dedicated to his family. He leaves his wife of 60 years Sandy, daughter Lisa and husband Duane Bellin, son Gerry Lurz and wife Jackie, and four grandchildren that he adored - Austin (Talynn), Bailey (Austin), Justin and Ashley (Erick) along with six little people he cherished. He is also survived by his brother Gene of Lakeview and sister Ruby Luttrell of Tipton, IN.
He is preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Ida, sisters, Arlene and Viola, and brothers ,Melvin and Carl.
Funeral service was held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine. Burial followed at Harmony Cemetery north of Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with service arrangements.
