Kurt Katzmar
Kurt William Katzmar died peacefully and surrounded by family on September 14th, 2025, at the
age of 72, after a lengthy battle with Multiple Myeloma. Throughout his illness, Kurt insisted on
the importance of experiencing everything, and “riding the horse to the end of the rodeo.” In
the last week of his life, Kurt shared his dreams, pontifications, and famous sense of humour
with friends and family. He spoke with beautiful acceptance about his impending journey to the
“other side of the veil.”
Kurt is lovingly remembered by his wife Marcia of 46 years; his daughters, Rachel (Jacob) and
Grace; his sisters, Janie (Aage) and Christine (Christopher); his three grandsons, Daniel, Caleb,
and Isaac; in-laws David, Doug (Mary-Anne); his nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as the
church communities where he ministered, and all of the many people whose lives he touched.
Born in Strongsville, Ohio, to Gunther and Phyllis Katzmar, he was the oldest of three children.
In his youth, he played trombone in the Strongsville High School band, built model WWI
airplanes, and read the dictionary for fun. He studied public administration at Miami University
in Oxford, Ohio, where he met his wife, Marcia, in the A Capella Singers and German Club. Then,
he earned his master’s degree at Syracuse University, which led him to a public finance career
with the U.S. Treasury Department in New York City and Washington D.C. In the 1980’s, after
receiving a call to ministry, he attended Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained in the
United Church of Christ. With a life-long love of music, Kurt sang in semi-professional choirs and
even had a brief stint as a classical music announcer with Jefferson Public Radio in Oregon.
In his 40-year career as a minister, he led churches in Elmira, New York; Berea, Ohio; Medford,
Oregon; and retired from the Sherwood Park United Church in Alberta, Canada. He sought to
teach his church communities to engage deeply in their spiritual lives and create meaning in
relationships with others and through connection with our natural world. Kurt believed that the
Kingdom of God was right here on Earth and spent his time here showing his congregations and
everyone in his life how to open their eyes to the beauty around us in the everyday, and to live
as Jesus taught.
In 2022, Kurt retired from the ministry, and delved into other intellectual interests, never quite
able to let go of teaching, and ministering. He was a frequent guest teacher with a bible study
group (“The Bible Babes”), in Bellevue, Washington; and joined the ISPDI, an intellectual
community studying the psychological writings of Wolfgang Giegerich in Edmonton, Alberta.
Kurt also volunteered weekly with the All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral Breakfast Ministry,
counselling, supporting, and serving the unhoused and those in need. As his illness progressed,
he never lost his voracious appetite to learn, experience, and teach. He continued building
community with hospital staff and patients during his long hospital stays, spreading warmth,
spirit, and connection with everyone he met.
Having requested a green, natural burial (with the lowest carbon footprint possible), he was
interred in the Northern Lights Cemetery in Edmonton, Alberta. A memorial service will be held
at the All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral on October 24th, at 4:00 PM. The family wishes to express
their sincere gratitude to the hospital staff at Misericordia Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital,
University of Alberta Hospital, the Cross Cancer Institute, and the Glenrose Rehabilitation
Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Bissel Centre in Edmonton,
Alberta, or All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral.