Elva Marie Shivers Kurtz, age 96, passed away on February 24, 2024 at Vintage Park in Hiawatha, Kansas. Elva was born in a farmhouse on the Baker Rd, October 8, 1927. She was the 7th of 9 children born to John M Shivers, Sr and Bessie Derrel Cowley Shivers.

Elva attended the Union Dale one room schoolhouse near her home. She was the only child in her grade and often had to do lessons with the grade above her. After Union Dale, she graduated from Horton High School with the class of 1945. Two days after high school graduation she boarded a bus for Topeka and landed a job at Santa Fe Railway the same day. She spent her career as a bookkeeper including many years at Foster Ford in Horton as well as her husband- business, Dallas Kurtz Construction.

Besides bookkeeping Elva had many skills. She could ballroom dance like nobody- business. It was through dance she met her first husband Glenn Painter. They were married May 29, 1948 at the First United Methodist Church in Topeka, KS. To this union three children were born. They were later divorced. After returning to Horton, Elva married Dallas Kurtz June 26, 1965, at the United Methodist Church, Horton, KS. They were married 36 years until his passing in 2001.

Elva was very active in her community holding officer positions in local organizations such as the Lions Club, the Garden Club, the Delphian Club, the United Methodist Church as Treasurer & Manager of Investments and Treasurer for the United Methodist Women. In her later years she enjoyed monthly luncheons with the Red Hat Society and the Crazy Ladies.

Art lessons in retirement started a passion for art in oil painting and watercolor. She was most proud of her purple ribbon awarded to a painting she entered in the Brown County Fair. Elva was a great seamstress and she also enjoyed crocheting and knitting.

The Shivers sisters enjoyed each other- company. All had a keen sarcastic sense of humor that was evident when they were together. If two wanted to have dinner they had to keep it secret or the rest would follow. It wasn’t uncommon for one to pull a prank on another, which made our family holidays extra special. Elva was a caring mother, grandmother and aunt who will be dearly missed by her family.

Elva is survived by her 3 children, Greg (Ann) Painter, Deanna Wilson, and Sara (Jeff) Gragg. Seven grandchildren, Samara (Willie) Cormier, Adam (Amanda) Painter, Mike Wilson, Brian Wilson, Dan (Caroline) Wilson, Jonathan Gragg, Megan Gragg, 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dallas, her son-in-law Doug Wilson, her granddaughter, Greta Painter and her 8 siblings, Lester Shivers, Viola Spiker, Opal Shivers, Virginia Meerpohl, Ada Spiker, John M Shivers, Jr., Sarah Shivers, and Lois Puvogel.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary and then go in procession for a graveside service at the Horton City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to NEK Hospice or memorial of your choice and may be sent in care of the mortuary.