Margaret Kurcaba

Margaret Kurcaba passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on November 23, 2025 at the age of 104.

She is survived by daughters Barbara Kunz (Kevin), JoAnn Mellone (Mark), Peggy Pena (Reuben) as well as grandson Michael Mellone and granddaughter Vanessa Mellone (great granddaughters Sofia Corral Mellone and Mia Corral Mellone).

She is preceded in death by her daughter Patty Kurcaba, her husband Joseph Kurcaba, father Knute Dovre, mother Annie Rukstad Dovre and siblings Eldon Dovre, Gordon Dovre and Phyllis Thureson.

Born on October 17, 1921 at home on the family farm outside of Minneota, Minnesota, she was proud of her Norwegian heritage. When asked about achieving her many years of life, she would note life on the farm with fresh air and natural foods. Also noted was her lifelong habit of walking.

After graduating from Minneota High School in 1939, she attended nursing school at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis graduating as a registered nurse. During the years of World War II, she would work at the hospital. She served as an Army nurse after the war and met her soon-to-be husband Joseph in a chance encounter at an elevator in a facility where she was a nurse and he was a pilot recovering from injury. They were married in An Arbor, Michigan on April 8, 1948.

Married life would take the couple to Utica, New York; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Connersville, Indiana and, in 1963, Albuquerque, New Mexico. She raised four daughters always supportive of their Sandia High School athletic and cheer activities and college lives. She served as a neighborhood reference for health advice.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and daughter Patty. She is survived by daughters Barbara Kunz (Kevin), Peggy Pena (Ruben), JoAnn Mellone (Mark); granddaughter Vanessa Mellone (Erik Corral, great-granddaughters Sofia and Mia); grandson Michael Mellone (Paulette Brannon).

She was beloved by family and friends who say tusen takk (Norwegian for a thousand thanks) for the memories and a life shared with us all.

Services will be held at 2 pm, Friday, January 23, 2026 at French’s Funerals, 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.