Dad’s Eulogy by Stefan Kurz

November 10, 2020

Hello everyone, my name is Stefan, Dennis’ son. I want to start off by thanking you all for coming today to honor my dad.

Dads are someone to look up to, someone to follow, someone to admire, someone to be proud of and someone to brag about, someone to learn from and someone to respect, someone to listen to and someone to talk to, someone to try and impress, sometimes rebel against, and, someone, most of all, with whom to share everything life has to offer. My dad was all of that and more. He was my coach. A kind and gentle man. A man with extraordinary patience and fortitude.

One of the greatest lessons I learned from my dad was the value of hard work, discipline, and a strong work ethic. I was about 10 years old when my brother Brian and I started working for my dad at the apartment buildings he owned. He started us off at just 25 cents/hour. I remember my first day cleaning windows at this five-story building. This building had a long hallway on each floor with big windows on both ends. I spent most of the day goofing off in the elevator not caring much about finishing the job at hand.  The next day, I think he had me sweep up a little, then clean the same windows all over again. 

One time he had me install a ceiling fan in one of the bedrooms. I was excited and nervous because he was leaving me alone to do it all by myself for the first time. I carefully read the instructions and installed the fan. When I was done, I discovered I still had a few screws left over. Concerned I had done something wrong, I called my dad over, told him I gone step by step, but still had these parts left over. He turned on the fan and said it works fine. I said well what do I do with these now. He chuckled and said…just toss them in the toolbox, you never know when you’ll need a good screw. Several years later I learned what he really meant.

As I developed more skills, dad kept me motivated with incremental wage increases. I was eventually making $8 an hour. Good money back in those days. Along the way I learned basic carpentry, but most of all working for my dad gave me a sense of accomplishment. He taught me how to focus, stay motivated, and the importance of finishing the job right the first time. I asked my parents to open a saving account and began to stash most of my earnings away. When I was 16, mom and dad agreed to match my savings and I was able to buy my first truck, a 91 Toyota 4x4 pickup.

Many days we would work late into night while watching the Dodgers and listening to Vin Scully call the games. I remember one night in 1988 the Dodgers were playing the Oakland A’s in the World Series. I thought it was so cool to be in downtown LA knowing the Dodgers were playing just a few miles away. I remember sitting on a paint bucket while watching the game on a small portable TV when Kirk Gibson hit a walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to take game one. The Dodgers went on to win the World Series that year. They would not win the World Series again until this year. Taking game six the night before my dad passed away.

Continued on next post....

My love of sports comes from my dad. I, like him, am a faithful San Francisco 49er fan. I became hooked after watching the 49ers destroy the Denver Broncos in the 1990 Super Bowl at Uncle Danny house. After that we would watch many games together. I will always remember the trip we took to Candlestick Park in 2012 to watch the 49ers play the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. My friend Robert and I wanted to take our dads so that they could experience a live game of that magnitude. Part of me also wanted to take my dad because I knew he would pick up the tab for the tickets. Watching a game at Candlestick, you feel like every down is fourth down. The wind was swirling, the crowd was extremely loud, and I could tell my dad was blown away by the experience. The 49ers ended up losing that game 20-17 in overtime. We all felt sick walking out of the stadium and leaving the city. Looking back now, losing that game did not matter, we all had the time of our lives.

I will forever cherish the memories of my dad taking us fishing, camping, and hiking. I will never forget the trip our whole family took during the summer of 86 when we travelled around the country in a Winnebago. We visited Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Toronto, Canada, New York City, Washington DC, The Alamo and many more landmarks along the way that I cannot list here. I can close my eyes and relive the fishing trips we took up in northern California to a place dad called big rock. The same place Grandpa Glenn took my dad when he was a child.

My dad loved spending time with his family. Everyone around noticed how his face would light up when the grandkids were around. He loved talking with them, watching them play and always wanted the best for them.

My dad was the example of the man that I strive to be every day. To never make excuses, play the hand your dealt, to put in the work, never give up, and along the way laugh as much as possible.

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller said it best, “It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons”. I love you dad and will miss you tremendously.

My eulogy for my beloved husband, Dennis read by our granddaughter, Kirsten Kurz for me because I knew I wouldn’t be able to.
 
All of you know my Oma was my Opa’s advocate. She spent many days and nights sleeping with him at the hospital. However, what many of you don’t know or don’t remember are all the kind and loving things he did for her. That was the reason why it was so easy for her to take care of him and fight for him until the very end.
 
Opa was in the hospital over 900 days and 300 days in ICU since 1996 when he had kidney failure and as the years went on, he developed many other medical issues. Oma always knew when she would be calling an ambulance or driving him to the hospital because Opa was not able to start her day out by bringing her a cup of coffee in bed in the morning or wasn’t able to hold her at night. Well, enough about his medical issues. She wants to share all the good things he did and how he spoiled her.
 
Opa loved to surprise Oma. For their first anniversary he surprised her with a trip to Carmel and Hearst Castle. From there they went to San Francisco and then cruised to Victoria. Opa arranged for her to have the time off work, packed for her and even took the kids over to stay at Oma Wurm’s house while they were gone.  He invited Joe and Kathy to go on the trip with them and had them go to her work to start the surprise, telling her “come on…let’s go celebrate your anniversary!”
 
Another big surprise was when she came home one day from work and discovered that Opa and his helper Jesse had put new carpet throughout the house. They replaced the long, old, orange, ugly shag carpet that had been in their house in Hacienda Heights for 9 years.
 
In November 1989, Opa and Oma were looking for a new Mazda van. Uncle Rudy and Opa went car shopping and Tante Gerti got a new Mazda, the exact one that Oma wanted. On Christmas morning Opa played Santa as always. Shortly after Opa took off the Santa suit, Santa knocked on the door and gave Oma the keys to her new Mazda.
 
On their 7th anniversary Oma lost the diamond from her wedding ring. So, for Christmas Opa surprised her with a 2 carat diamond ring to replace her wedding ring. He duplicated the original setting…except larger! Oma was afraid to wear the ring and had it returned to the jewelry store.
 
Then there was the time when Opa was painting the upstairs bathroom for me. After painting the bathroom with 2 coats of yellow paint Oma went to hang up the new yellow towels. Looking at the towels with the paint it was decided that the paint color was all wrong. So Opa took the towels with him to Home Depot to get paint that matched and came home to paint the bathroom for the third time. 
 
Opa loved Geography. He took Oma and the kids on many vacations. They travelled all around the country, seeing 43 states. Some trips were in the motorhome, some were on the train or a plane. Some were just good old road trips in the car.
 
He also loved to take Oma on cruises. Even when he shouldn’t have been traveling, he still wanted to go on trips with her. While on their Alaskan cruise with Maryann and Vince his potassium was dangerously high and the ship doctor told him that he could not stay on the ship and needed to go to the hospital. My Oma was taken by a small private plane and Opa was helicoptered to the ICU in Juno. Two days later they were able to get back on the ship and they continued to party!
 
One of their very last trips Opa planned with Karl and Lotte. They went to Rosarita and had a great time…until the last day. Opa got sick and Oma had to take him directly to the hospital before going home.
 
I remember in 2014 when Opa planned a Florida Disney World trip for the 3 of us. He got us the best package there was. We went 1st class all the way. Opa wasn’t feeling well the first day we were there and had to see the onsite nurse. He wasn’t able to enjoy Disney World with us for 2 days. When he was better and able to join us, he was given a medical pass. We were able to get on the rides without waiting in lines and that was really cool! Nothing was going to stop Opa from enjoying our time at Disney World, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot Center. He got on his scooter and the 3 of us enjoyed the rest of our great vacation together.
 
Opa was very generous and giving to Oma, as well as to his kids and grandkids. He would send flowers to Oma’s work for special occasions or just because. Often times he picked roses from his garden and give them to her with her lunch. He spent summers landscaping yards, painting and doing repairs for the kids' homes when his health permitted. The last few years when his health was failing, he could no longer do those things himself, so he would have them hire someone to do the work in his place.
 
My Opa never complained about my Oma’s greatest joy in life to give, to help, or to just do something for someone just because. He would be in there helping her bake and wrap goodies or whatever else she needed his help with. In fact, he would even be on the floor wrapping presents for the grandchildren with her.
 
When Jordan was about 3 years old, he ordered a battery operated motorcycle and at the same time he ordered one for Trevor, who was 21 months younger, and Jaxson, who was 2 years younger. He stored them until each one was ready to ride them so it would be fair to all three boys. Last year he was online ordering the boys a 24 volt Jeep and a fire truck from Magic Cars. They were a little pricey but he wanted them to have the best.
 
Last Christmas the boys had presents stacked to the ceiling and Opa was in there helping and telling Oma how to secure them. Oma is so happy Opa was able to be there to see that because on my 4th Christmas I had presents stacked to the ceiling too.
 
Oma loves Christmas and all the lights. Every year he would decorate the outside himself if he was able to and if he wasn’t, he would hire Lupe to do it for him. Lupe is their gardener. As you all know, the backyard is almost half an acre and lights would be on almost every tree and decorations on the lawn. It brought Opa such happiness to see the joy on Oma’s face every night during the holidays. She would say “I just love all the lights” and would literally be jumping for joy!
 
Everyone knows that my Oma loved to shop. When she was on her trip to Italy with Sandy, the credit card company called Opa and said there had been many charges on the card from out of the country. Opa’s response was that the charges were all ok.  He happened to be on the phone with Allie, who worked with Oma, when that call came in. He told her about the call and also told her that Oma deserves anything and everything she wants. Opa didn’t tell Oma about the call so when she got back to work all the girls in the office were laughing big time about Oma burning up her credit card in Italy. One of the teachers at Rainbow Ridge Elementary told Oma that she was so spoiled by Opa that she has received more flowers then the whole school put together.
 
Opa loved playing cards with Kathy and Marie, and Cyndie and Greg and Dominos with Marietta. It meant so much to him that they would even go to see him in the hospital and play.
 
There are so many more stories to share because my Opa was such an amazing husband to Oma, father to the kids and grandfather. But that would take many days to share. 
 
But the last thing Oma wanted to share with you all was the last 2 things Opa did before passing. Opa filled out his election ballot and he watched the Dodgers win the World Series. When Oma called him that night, he told her that he had watched the game and that he was very tired and wanted to go to sleep. He told her “I love you” and hung up.
 
Oma is going to miss my Opa’s affection. She is going to miss talking to him every night before going to sleep and telling him “I love you!"  Rest in Peace my Love, until we meet again for our first dance in heaven.

Very beautiful service. I'm sorry that I could not be there. I remember the first time that I met Dennis. He was a good man and will be missed.

To the BEST Uncle ever! You will be missed and I love you

What a BEAUTIFUL service. I’m so sorry we could not be there to Honor him. Dennis was a very special person and a great Brother-in-Law. All the family is in our hearts on this most difficult day. Thank you Dennis for your service ! HOO YAH!

In memory of my dear brother Dennis.  

You were my hero when I was small.  You were full of mischievous fun and always laughing.  I am so glad I got to say how special you were to me.  I am also so sorry you had to suffer with PKD so long but you stayed strong and persevered with your dear wife Terri.  I am so thankful you found the love of your life, Terri who help you and stayed by your side through the good and not so good times.  Dennis loved his family especially his beautiful grandchildren.  You will always be in my heart Dennis and I am glad your pain is gone.  

Your loving sister Liz

The world has lost a really good guy. We will miss you, Dennis. You were a really good card player and we always enjoyed our tournament evenings! You really had patience with us! We will never forget our trip to Alaska together and we will never forget you.
Our deepest sympathies to all Dennis' Family and Friends and wish you love and peace in good memories.
Maryann and Vince

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Dennis Lee Glenn.

Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Dennis Lee Glenn.

Maryann and Vince purchased the Garden Accent - Those we love don't go away... for the family of Dennis Lee Glenn.

Enchanted Cottage was purchased for the family of Dennis Lee Glenn.

Randy and Mary purchased the Gracious Lavender Basket for the family of Dennis Lee Glenn.

Dennis, My Beloved Older Brother.

Dennis is from a large family, child number 2 of 8. I am Mary, child number 7. Dennis is 14 years my senior. When I was little, my father’s job took him away from our home for weeks at a time. My mother also worked outside the home, with no money for a housekeeper or nanny, it was basically all hands-on deck to keep this family of ten going. This story takes place when I’m 6 years old, just started 1st grade and I’m terrified to go to school. I am certain on this day I will be humiliated in front of class. Of course, this is just little kid trauma, but I am determined that I will NOT go to school.  

The house is quiet, everyone has departed to school or work and my mother is on her way out the door, when she spots me lingering. What’s wrong she says, why are you still here? I’m not going to school, I declare. Well no, you can’t stay home, she says repeating, what’s wrong? I can’t tell time, I sob, my teacher says everyone needs to be able to tell time. Ok, she says and sits next to me on the kitchen bench, holds out her arm and shows me her watch. While repeatedly explaining the basics, I’m just not getting it, she grows ever more impatient, her frustration edging toward anger as she clearly sees on her watch that she will soon be late for work. I am close to tears when Dennis happily bounds thru the front door and immediately sees something amiss. I burst into tears as if on cue. Good Lord she exclaims, I do not have time for this!

Dennis takes her by the arm, gently walks her to the front door, telling her: Mom, it’s ok, I’ve got this. When she is gone, he gets me a drink of water, and waits until I calm down. At this point I tell him my troubles. He immediately gets paper and crayons and we start to color together. He has me draw a house, the sun, a square, a circle. He tells me to draw a big circle, then draw the numbers like the big clock on our wall. I know my numbers, this is easy. He tells me how the big hand works, I draw it, then the little hand and it all clicks into place and I understand. It’s fun and I run off to school happy.

Dennis was 20 when this happened. He had a busy life of his own and he didn’t need to take the time to deal with my troubles, but he never hesitated, never complained. For years he changed diapers, cleaned up and watched out for us, the younger kids. Dennis was a gifted teacher: Smart, funny and curious, and he always knew how to talk to kids. He was my protector, my teacher, my confidant. He was kind and gentle and most of all beloved. Dennis, you will always be in my heart. You will always be missed.

Your loving sister, Mary Glenn.

Tim and Susan (Glenn) DiGuglielmo Jennifer an John purchased the Treasured Lilies Spray for the family of Dennis Lee Glenn.

OBITUARY

Dennis Lee Glenn

20 February, 1946 – 28 October, 2020

Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory

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