Obituary of Gertrude A Kurta

A graveside ceremony will be held on Friday in Santa Cruz for Gertrude Kurta who passed away very peacefully at her Santa Cruz home on February 10, 2014. Born in Vienna, Austria, she was 87 years old. Trude met the love of her life, Charles Kurta while he was stationed in Salzburg during WW II. They were married at the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria. His military career saw them residing in Germany, Texas, Kentucky, and retiring to Santa Cruz in 1965. She enjoyed traveling with and being part of the Army. She worked for World Savings in Santa Cruz for 8 years and made many dear friends and associates while there. An excellent cook, everything she prepared was always made from scratch, and many fond memories will be cherished by her family of the beautiful meals she prepared for them. She was famous for her strawberry rhubarb pie and apple pie with whipped cream. Trude loved to travel especially visiting friends in Austria and her grandsons family in La Jolla, CA for the holidays. She always rooted for the Pittsburgh Steelers, her favorite football team. Her husband Charles was from Pittsburgh, which made her a dedicated fan. Trude was a member of the German Club, and was also quite accomplished at needlepoint. She created numerous Christmas ornaments, cross stitch frames and pillows. She walked down to the beach several times a week to visit with friends, chat and share stories. Often she'd come back with a new friend as she enjoyed chatting with everyone. She is survived by her two daughters, Martina Ann Hill of Santa Cruz and Barbara Lee Reiter of Menlo Park, CA. She also leaves her four beloved grandchildren: Jacqueline (Robert) McMahon, Charles (Annie) Reiter, Michael Alan Hill, Amanda Danielle Hill; and her sister and brother-in-law, Leopoldine and Jim Cavanah of Santa Cruz. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Kurta in 2002. Friends and family will gather on Friday, February 14, 2014 at Oakwood Memorial Park (3301 Paul Sweet Rd.) in Santa Cruz for a graveside service beginning at 3:00 p.m where she will be laid to rest beside her late husband Charles. Any kind acts of charity may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com and light a candle and share your condolences with her family.