The Rev. Harold R. "Harry" Kurtenbach, 84, of Grand Island died Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at CHI Health St. Francis, with his family by his side.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Resurrection Catholic Church. The principle celebrant will be the Most Rev. Joseph G. Hanefeldt, bishop of the Grand Island Diocese. Concelebrants will be the Most Rev. William J. Dendinger, Bishop Emeritus, Rev. Charles L. Torpey, Rev. James C. Schmitt, Rev. Thomas A. Ryan, Rev. Joseph Kadaprayil and other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Resurrection Catholic Church, with a Scripture wake service at 7. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Father Harry was born on the family farm near Greeley on Aug. 4, 1933. He was the son of Joseph and Anna (Ramaeker) Kurtenbach. He attended grade school at Sacred Heart School in Greeley and a country school near Spalding. In the eighth grade, he started at the Spalding Academy and graduated in 1951.
During his eighth-grade year, Father Kurtenbach decided to become a priest. He went to the St. Columban's Seminary in Milton, Mass., and Bristol, R.I., for five years. In 1956 he transferred to the Grand Island Diocese and he was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1960, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. His first Mass was offered in Spalding on May 12, 1960, with family and friends. North Platte was Father Harry's first assignment. He went on to serve parishes in Prairie Center, Schneider, Gothenburg, Brady, Ainsworth, Norden, Kearney, Long Pine, Bassett, Newport, Lexington, Overton, Shelton, Broken Bow, Ansley, Mason City, Pleasanton and Hazard. Some of his experiences included being a pastor, superintendent of schools, teacher and athletic director. He soon learned how to coach volleyball.
In 1970 he joined the Army Reserves. He had many appointments during his years as a priest. In 1977 he was appointed pastor of Resurrection Church in Grand Island. In 1983 he was appointed Director of Communications and Spiritual Enrichment. It was during this time he became interested in Renew and the Charismatic Renewal. He was appointed diocesan liaison for Charismatic Renewal for the Diocese of Grand Island, and for over 40 years was Spiritual Director for Servants of the Father's Love Community. This group met and prayed together, forming lasting and spiritual friendships.
Father Harry officially retired in 1998, but he said a priest never really retires. In 2002, he was appointed as chaplain to the Veteran Administration Hospital, where he served for 10 years.
Father Harry loved to travel, which included going to the Holy Land and Brazil, and watching the Kansas City Royals play ball. He believed in learning and studying about current events and theology and having a good discussion.

Father Kurtenbach was a friend and spiritual inspiration. To his many nieces and nephews, he was a loving uncle with great humor and generosity. There was nothing too small for him to do for his family, but he always did it with Christ in mind. So "AMEN," Father Harry.
Survivors of his immediate family include his many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John "Jack" and Eileen (McCarthy) Kurtenbach; sisters, Anna Kurtenbach, Cordelia Kurtenbach and Georgina (Kurtenbach) and Harry Flanigan.
Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic.