Carol Kurty

Carol Sue Kurty, age 65 of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024 with her husband at her bedside. She quietly fought a long, hard, and brave battle against breast cancer. Her family is forever grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice.

She was born on July 29, 1958 in Niles to Jacob E. and Barbara J. (Pingle) Bays, and graduated from Niles High School, Class of 76'.  She was a stay-at-home mother for many years caring for her girls, attending class parties, and making sure to have a fresh baked cookie ready for them when they got off the bus. As the girls grew older Carol followed them to Howard Elementary working as a recess aide, cafeteria helper, and finally finishing up as head cook. 

Carol took her skills from work to her home kitchen, cooking anything that her daughters – and then her grandchildren – asked for.  She made a great chicken pot pie, her husband’s favorite. Her baking skills were especially appreciated, including breads, pies, cakes, wonderful cinnamon rolls, and an amazing French toast bake.  Her homemaking skills, being a wife, mother, and grandmother were truly her life’s proudest accomplishments.

On September 8, 1979 at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Niles she married the love of her life, Lee James Kurty with whom she celebrated forty-four wonderful years with. That was only a landmark in an amazing fifty-one-year relationship.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Jean Bays on September 5, 2021; by her brother, Donald Jacob Bays – just a day short of ten years ago – on June 8, 2014; and by a niece, Jennifer Jean Antisdel on August 7, 1997.

Surviving family includes her husband, Lee Kurty and their daughters, Amy Lee (& Chad) Larsen of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Nikki Marie (& Michael) Small of Niles; grandchildren Cameron Thomas and Dylan  Lee Larsen, Molly Sue and Michael Brian Small, Jr., and Nicholas Michael Small; Carol’s father, Jacob “Jake” Bays of Niles; Carol’s sister, Judy Brockway of Niles; and nephews and a niece, Shane (& Renée) Bays, Sarah Beckman, and Michael (& Lecia) Brockway. Along with other beloved family  and friends.

In keeping with Carol's wishes a Celebration of Life has been planned at Fernwood Botanical Gardens. Please join us on celebrating her memory on Sunday June 23, 2024 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help the fight to eradicate breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, Texas, 75380, https://www.komen.org/; or to the Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085, https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle/get-involved/how-to-give.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com