Obituary for Kurt Walbeck
Kurt Barry Walbeck (a truly loyal Tigers and Lions fan!) passed away of natural causes Monday, February 13, 2023, at his home in Portage, Michigan, in the presence of his loving family. Kurt is survived by his wife Linda; daughters, Kelly and Gayle; siblings Keith (Sharon) Walbeck, Jill (Tom) Kattau, Paula (Ron) Bowman, and Debra Williams.
Kurt was born May 22, 1942 in Marshall, Michigan to Kenneth and Carol Walbeck, and graduated from Tekonsha High School in 1961. He was known to his friends and family as Kurt and/or Barry (depending on who you were talking to!). He married Linda Juanita Taylor on September 9, 1967 in Battle Creek, Michigan and they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last year. The couple had two daughters, Kelly Lynn (1974) and Gayle Elizabeth (1976). Kurt was an amazing husband and devoted father who would do anything for his family. He was a dedicated and hard-working employee for General Motors for nearly 30 years where he made a tough, honest living. After early retirement from GM, he went to work for the Marriott Residence Inn and discovered how much he enjoyed customer service. In 2008, he retired again and he and Linda moved to New Mexico where they spent 12 wonderful years. Returning to Michigan in 2020, and after struggling with physical illness for some time, Kurt was released into the comforting hands of hospice care and his family. His family and friends will miss him very, very much. Kurt loved working outside, whether it was shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or blowing leaves. Kurt also enjoyed building things and was one of the original do-it-yourself men when a roll of duct tape, WD-40, a hammer, elbow grease and muscle were all someone needed. (If the pearly gates were squeaky, they aren’t now.) He loved his outdoor grill, especially to make his famous burgers and BBQ ribs. He loved ice cream, chocolate, fresh raspberries, old cars and taking long, leisurely drives. Kurt loved animals; all of his fur-babies were certainly waiting for him on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. His pockets were stuffed full of treats and, ever the optimist, he’s certainly still wearing his Lion’s ball cap. At his request, he was cremated.
A public memorial service will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Mesa Christian Church Camper Fund (Rio Rancho, New Mexico: http://www.westmesacc.org) and the Christian Church Disciples of Christ (2208 Winchell Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008).
Kurt was born May 22, 1942 in Marshall, Michigan to Kenneth and Carol Walbeck, and graduated from Tekonsha High School in 1961. He was known to his friends and family as Kurt and/or Barry (depending on who you were talking to!). He married Linda Juanita Taylor on September 9, 1967 in Battle Creek, Michigan and they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last year. The couple had two daughters, Kelly Lynn (1974) and Gayle Elizabeth (1976). Kurt was an amazing husband and devoted father who would do anything for his family. He was a dedicated and hard-working employee for General Motors for nearly 30 years where he made a tough, honest living. After early retirement from GM, he went to work for the Marriott Residence Inn and discovered how much he enjoyed customer service. In 2008, he retired again and he and Linda moved to New Mexico where they spent 12 wonderful years. Returning to Michigan in 2020, and after struggling with physical illness for some time, Kurt was released into the comforting hands of hospice care and his family. His family and friends will miss him very, very much. Kurt loved working outside, whether it was shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or blowing leaves. Kurt also enjoyed building things and was one of the original do-it-yourself men when a roll of duct tape, WD-40, a hammer, elbow grease and muscle were all someone needed. (If the pearly gates were squeaky, they aren’t now.) He loved his outdoor grill, especially to make his famous burgers and BBQ ribs. He loved ice cream, chocolate, fresh raspberries, old cars and taking long, leisurely drives. Kurt loved animals; all of his fur-babies were certainly waiting for him on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. His pockets were stuffed full of treats and, ever the optimist, he’s certainly still wearing his Lion’s ball cap. At his request, he was cremated.
A public memorial service will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Mesa Christian Church Camper Fund (Rio Rancho, New Mexico: http://www.westmesacc.org) and the Christian Church Disciples of Christ (2208 Winchell Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008).