Life Story
Arthur W. Kutz
1929 – 2017
Art was born on August 5, 1929 to Jacob and Sara Kutz in Kitchener, Ontario. He was the eldest of three children, followed by Vera and Helga. His parents’ home and business gradually merged into the well-known barber shop attached to the house at 87 Courtland Avenue.
He survived a severe leg injury at 12 years of age, but barbered with his dad for 10 years while getting to know the KW region delivering groceries and driving truck for Al’s Cartage. In 1956 he began as an apprentice accountant for Ron Buddell. Around this time he also purchased the first of 5 convertibles which would grace his driveway over a span of nearly 5 decades.
Being a lifelong member of the Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church, Art served as an usher for 60 years. For some years the church was also the host of the MB Bible School, and around 1960 Art couldn’t help but notice a certain student in attendance, one Elizabeth (Betty) Doerksen. The short version of this historical period leads to their wedding on September 22, 1962, and they had 2 awesome, trouble-free sons soon after.
Art undertook correspondence studies for several years and received a degree in accounting in 1963. This line of work took him from the Federal Tax Department to Tailby and Tailby CA’s, Coopers and Lybrand CA’s, Karley and Kroetsch Construction and finally to 19 years managing multiple companies for Wallenstein Feed and Supply.
In the midst of a busy work schedule Art found time to pursue his many interests in sports, family camping trips, home repair, visiting at the Doerksen farm and fishing whenever possible. Retirement brought with it new physical challenges but also the enjoyment of travelling with family members, time with grandchildren, serving on the KMB Bereavement Committee, in the kitchen at Camp Crossroads, plus many visits to a new community of friends around the pool table at Doon Retirement Village, where he visited his sister Vera.
He passed into the presence of his Lord at age 87 on Saturday, February 4, 2017, surrounded by family. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth, sons Ian (Cindy) and Daryl (Lisa). Amazing grandfather of Alyssa McCoy (Michael), Olivia DeDecker (Matthew), Sara, Ethan and Julia, and great-grandchildren Scarlett and Harriett. Predeceased by parents Jacob and Sara Kutz, sister Vera (and husband Bill) Baerg and niece Naomi Harder. Survived by sister Helga Mills (Robert), nephews Ray and Larry and nieces Elizabeth and Ingrid.
The family is grateful for the care extended by the doctors, nurses and staff at the Grand River Hospital and the Freeport Dialysis centre. A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday, February 11 at the Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church, 19 Ottawa Street N., Kitchener. Private interment has already taken place at Woodland Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee or the Grand River Hospital Foundation: Freeport Dialysis.