Laura Maxine Kurtzbein

Laura Maxine Kurtzbein (Robertson) died Thursday, February 8th of natural causes. Maxine was born March 1, 1927 in Portland, Oregon to parents Owen and Ruby Robertson. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Oregon State University for a short time before marrying Earl D. Kurtzbein. Maxine and Earl had three children Duane, Diane and Shirley and made their home in North Portland. Maxine worked multiple jobs in her lifetime, including a stint in the shipyards during WWII, however her favorite job was teaching children. She began her career as an educational assistant with the Portland Public School district and subsequently obtained her teaching degree at Portland State. Students at Kennedy, Applegate, Vernon, Chief Joseph, Woodlawn and Kenton often referred to her as “their favorite teacher”. Maxine left Portland Public Schools in 1976 and finished her career teaching third grade at Burton Elementary in Vancouver Washington and retired in 1990. Maxine was a gifted artist and belonged to several art groups and associations. An avid traveler, Maxine collected a cache of memorable memories and art. Maxine lived in Madras in the early 1990s and worked as a substitute teacher for the Jefferson County school district prior to moving to McMinnville in 1996. She quickly became immersed in the art community participating in the Art Harvest Studio tours in Yamhill County and showing in local galleries. An artist with many skills, Maxine was mostly known for her watercolor and silk paintings. She resided in McMinnville until her death and was preceded in death by her parents Ruby and Owen Robertson, her brothers Wallace Robertson and Donald Robertson. She is survived by her children Duane Kurtzbein of Bend, Shirley Schumacher (Jeff) of Milwaukie, Diane Treadway of McMinnville, granddaughter Amanda Jo Treadway of Redmond, brother Richard Robertson of Albuquerque and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 24th from 1-4 at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Avenue, Portland. Memorial contributions can be made to Willamette Valley Hospice