Marilyn Louise Kurz

Marilyn Louise DeFreese Kurz, 87, of Shreveport, entered into eternal peace on November 17, 2018. She was born to the late Verden Lee and Dorthea Genevieve DeFreese on June 26, 1931. She was a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School. She united in marriage with her beloved husband, the late Malcolm Arthur Kurz, Jr., on February 8, 1948. They enjoyed 37 years of marriage before his death in 1985. Louise's life was one that was well lived. She portrayed the definition of elegance, beauty, and Southern charm as she fulfilled her roles as a wife, devoted mother of three, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her attention to detail and uncompromised gift of hospitality led her to a career in retail. She spent years working at Regent's, Elaine's Fashions, Stage, and Mimi's Hallmark where she served many and made lifelong friends. Once her grandchildren were born, she worked less and sought her true passion of being Grandma and Memaw to six grandchildren. Any opportunity to spend time with her family and friends was important to her. She loved holidays and any occasion to get the family together. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking and welcoming loved ones into her home. She especially looked forward to Sunday afternoons at home where she hosted her mother, sister, daughters, and any friends available for coffee and conversation. While family and friends provided her with overwhelming happiness, her ultimate strength came from the Lord. Her faith guided her daily living. In 2003, she moved to Hattiesburg, the home of her older daughter. While there, she continued to grow in her faith and developed close friendships with members and leadership of her daughter's church before returning to Shreveport in 2017. Throughout her life, her favorite scripture was Psalm 23. Even in her last days, she found true comfort in listening to gospel music, and she proudly sang every word. Left to treasure precious memories are her three children, Pamela Dalme and her husband, Lester, of Hattiesburg, MS, Malcolm Arthur "Butch" Kurz, III, of Spring, TX, and Debbie White and husband, Arnold, of Minden, LA; her brother Raymond DeFreese and wife, Katie, of Houston; grandchildren Renee' Jordan, Melissa Hale (David), Kristy Harvey, Amy Stafford (Rick), Wendy Mills (David), and Matt White (Carrie). Also dear to Louise include her special nieces, Missy Vermeyen (Chuck) of Peach Tree City, GA, and Dayna Wilson (Tommy) of Houston, TX, and nephews Keith Camp (Lisa) of Houston, TX, and Biff Mullin of Shreveport. The family expresses sincere gratitude and love to Louise's lifelong friend, Joe Rosalee, of Shreveport. Additionally, she leaves behind 10 very loved great-grandchildren and numerous great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, her sister, Dolores Mullin, and her great-granddaughter Kailee Mills also precede her in death. Family and friends will gather at Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, LA, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, for visitation and a funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Steve Gilley of First Baptist Church of Minden officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery. Pallbearers include: Matt White, Arnold White, Lester Dalme, Rick Stafford, David Hale, and David Mills. Serving as Honorary Pallbearer is Joe Rosalee. The family would like to extend its warmest appreciation to Dino, Sally, Leslie, and Britney, and the staff at The Glen Retirement System who cared for her and loved her in her final days.