Caroline Elizabeth (Sterly) Kurburski

Caroline Kurburski, 78, of Harbor Springs passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and children on June 16, 2017. She was born Caroline Elizabeth Sterly January 6th, 1939 to Raymond and Lorena (Schlosser) Sterly in the parlor of their farmhouse near Goodhart. She lived her entire life in the area, attending Harbor Springs High School where she met her future husband Wilbur Kurburski whom she married at Holy Cross Church in Cross Village on October 18th, 1958. They lived together in Harbor Springs, later purchasing the farm where she was born in 1979, raising their eight children, and living happily together for the remainder of her life.

Caroline was preceded in death by her daughter Lucinda Kurburski, sister Lucille (Gerald) Suchanek, brother Lawrence (Grace) Sterly, and her parents. She is survived by her husband Wilbur and seven children: Barb (Ken) Vorce; Ladonna, Marcus (Angela), Lorena, Foster (Anne), and Raymond Kurburski; and Brenda (Matt) Dietrich; as well as her twelve grandchildren: John, Elizabeth, Emily, Katie, Peter, Luke, Mathew, and Jennifer Kurburski; Garth and Robert Vorce; and Clara and Graham Dietrich.

In addition to managing the family chair caning business, she was an avid volunteer in the community. Caroline loved sewing, she made countless quilts, weighted blankets, stuffed animals, tote bags and so many other items throughout her life for any person, charity, or organization that she knew was in need. Anything she could do to help others, especially those efforts that were directed toward children, she would do. Caroline also had a love of square dancing throughout her life, dancing with Wilbur for as long as she physically could.

The family will receive friends at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cross Village on Tuesday, June 20th beginning at 10am.  The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday immediately following the visitation at 11am. 

Those wishing to honor Caroline’s memory are asked to make a donation to the North Country Daycare in Harbor Springs, or any other charity that supports the community or children.

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