Barbara Marylin Wurtz (nee Summach), a resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the age of 80 years.

Barbara was born in Saskatoon, SK, on June 8, 1944, to Lester and Mary Summach. Her family then moved to Two Rivers Bible Institute at Carlea, SK, in 1949, and after their home flooded three springs in a row, they decided to move to Three Hills, AB, in 1954.

She started grade 5 at the Prairie Bible Elementary School, where her parents were on staff and she attended school there until graduating high school in 1962. In the fall of 1963, she started her two-year bible schooling at Prairie Bible Institute. From 1965 to 1966, she attended Omaha Baptist Bible College in Nebraska, where she attained her degree in congregational worship and music ministry.

Barbara had come home to Grande Prairie in between the two years she had spent in Nebraska, as her parents had moved from Three Hills up to Grande Prairie in 1965, so upon her completion of school, she moved to Grande Prairie. Once here, she began attending McLaurin Baptist Church, which became her home church, participating in the music ministry and Sunday School programs and was a member there for the rest of her life.

In 1969, she met her future husband, Winston Wurtz and they were married in August of 1970 at McLaurin Baptist Church. There, they have served together on many committees and in volunteer capacities and she felt blessed to be able to share her piano and organ skills with the congregation for all the years that she had attended, forging many friendships with those she served with.

In 1974, Barb and Winston welcomed their first child, Leonard; then in 1977, they welcomed the second, Sherra. Barb loved her family very much and wanted to be around them all the time. It was her heart’s desire that they would know and love the Lord as she did; revealing this to them in the time spent serving God (at church, Camp Wapiti or home) and in her music.

Barbara’s joy expanded over the years as a daughter-in-law, Tammy; then two grandchildren, Kaylee and Dalton, joined her family. She would sit and tell anyone who would listen about her family and what they were doing. She loved to visit and socialize, but if you brought up her family, you needed to prepare for a long visit.

Barbara is survived by her husband Winston Wurtz; children Leonard (Tammy) Wurtz, Sherra Wurtz; grandchildren: Kaylee Wurtz, and Dalton Wurtz. She is also survived by her sister Linda (John) Wells; brother Warren (Debbie) Summach and brother-in-law Ralph Spark. And by brother-in-law’s Eddie (Vera) Wurtz and Albert (Judy) Wurtz, and by many nephews, nieces and other family.

Barb was predeceased by her parents Lester and Mary Summach; her infant sister and her sister Lois Spark. She was also predeceased by her mother-in-law Katherine Wurtz; as well as brother and sisters-in-law Eldon (Ruby) Wurtz, Norman Wave, Violet (Fred) Reath, Robert Wurtz, Melva (Dixie) Worseth and Franklin Wurtz.

As a family, we would like to thank the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital for their outstanding and compassionate care for Barbara as well as for us. We are so thankful for their attention and care of her; meeting her needs and keeping her comfortable; words cannot express our gratitude.

There will be a Viewing on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, at 12:00 PM at the McLaurin Baptist Church, followed by a Service at 1:00 PM. There will be a time for fellowship and a light luncheon following the service (10913 – 107 Ave).

The service will be available to LiveStream at the following link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BclNHXXWEs).

Interment will be held at 4:00 PM at the Emerson Trail Cemetery (62048 AB-672).

Memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s honour to Camp Wapiti (https://campwapiti.ca/donate/).

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com.