James Emanuel Kurrle, 92, of Burlington, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at the OakView Nursing Home and Rehabilitation in Burlington.
Born Sept. 3, 1931, in Burlington, he was the son of Ferdinand Eugene Otto and Jennie Elizabeth Long Kurrle. James graduated from Burlington High School 1949. He was a BHS wrestler. On April 18, 1951, he married Leanne Corman in Burlington.
James was a commercial fisherman, then managed the test site at IAAP for many years. Later, James was a full time blue crab fisherman in Florida. He farmed part time. He was a pilot and achieved his instrument rating, sea plane rating, and enjoyed flying his Lake Buccaneer 200.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran Electronic Radio Engineer, serving during the Korean War from February 6, 1951 until Feb. 1, 1955. Honors received were Good Conduct Award, National Defense Duty Assignment VR Seven and Certificate of Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class.
James was a member of Spring Grove Methodist Church, National Fisherman Association and a past member of the Fraternal Order of the Moose.
Survivors include his wife, Leanne Kurrle of Burlington; two daughters, Nancy Kurrle of Boone and Cindy Patterson of Burlington; eight grandchildren, Amber (Jayson) Wulf , Dustin Kurrle, Lindsey Kurrle, Heath (Stacy) Kurrle, Jacob Patterson, A. Nic Patterson, Nick (Jessica) Riedel, and Luke Riedel; 12 great grandchildren; one sister, Jean Woods of Mediapolis; two brothers-in-law, Warren Corman of Sperry and Wayne (Winona) Corman of Sperry, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Samuel Kurrle and brother, John Kurrle.
The funeral service for Mr. Kurrle will be Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at the Prugh Funeral Service (3940 Division Street, Burlington) at 11 am concluding with military honors. Visitation will precede the service from 10-11 a.m.. Burial to follow at Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family which will then be provided to a youth hunting organization.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Please continue to keep the family in your thoughts during this difficult time.