Springman, Bethine Blythe Kurtz Leopold

Bethine Blythe Kurtz Leopold Springman was born Dec. 1, 1922, the daughter of Eldo and Laura (Leonard) Kurtz in Webster City, Iowa. She died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, in Mercy Medical Center at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 10 days. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday at Echo Hill Presbyterian Church. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

She attended school in Webster City, graduating in 1940. She enrolled at Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in September 1942. On June 1, 1944, she eloped with James Leopold. They were married at the Methodist Church parsonage in Pascagoula, Miss. James died in March 1951. Bethine received her nursing degree in September 1945. She worked in the polio ward of Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines and the OB ward at Hamilton County Hospital. She also worked as an office nurse for doctors in Webster City and Marion.

On Aug. 19, 1956, she married Lewis Springman, and they made their home in Cedar Rapids. She and Lewis built and operated the 42nd Street NE Tastee Freez from April 1962 until July 1976. She also assisted Lewis at the Springman Hearing Aid Office. After his death in January 1981, she continued in that office as secretary/receptionist until she retired in January 1988.

Bethine was a 54-year member of the Kenwood Park/Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, where she was active on various boards, committees and as a church officer. Bethine joined the American Business Women's Association in March 1970 and served as all four chapter officers and was on many committees. She represented charter chapter as “Women of the Year'' in 1980.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husbands, James Leopold and Lewis Springman; her brothers, Maynard Kurtz and O' Dean Kurtz; her sisters-in-law, Alyce Kurtz and Frances Kurtz; her nephews, Michael Kurtz, Thomas Kutz and Kevin Kurtz; her niece, Cherrie Kurtz; and her great-nephew, Michael Watson.

Survivors include her brothers, Stephen Kurtz and wife Neoma of Webster City and Terrance Kurtz and wife Maureen of Waukee; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Published Sept. 12, 2011, in The Gazette