Walter Kurth, Jr.

Walter Kurth, Jr. passed away Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026, at his granddaughter Emily (Clay) Rathbone’s home, where they cared for him the last several days of his life. A Celebration of Life was held Monday, February 16 at Iron Ridge Church, officiated by Bryan Mincks.

Memorials may be directed to Deb Funk at 28402 Hemlock Road, Elkader, IA  52043, and Dave Kurth at 420 Columbus Street, Arlington, IA 50606.

Walter Kurth Jr. was born to Walter and Florence (Schiff) Kurth, in a farmhouse south of Waukon on New Year’s Day 1937. Junior walked to country school in Franklin township, then graduated from Waukon High School in 1955.
September 15, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Grahlman. They were married 61 years until Janice passed away September 5, 2017.

Junior farmed with his dad and two brothers before being drafted into the Army in 1959. He was glad when he finally returned home to continue farming with his brothers. They each had their own farms but shared machinery and rented additional land. Junior started with registered Jerseys, pigs and beef cows. He also worked at the turkey plant in Postville for a while. Junior enjoyed overhauling tractors and fixing machinery.

In 1982, Junior and Janice moved to Waukon, but he continued to share beef cattle with his brother Gilbert and came out to the farm every day. Junior sold Kussmaul Seed Corn as well as helping other farmers with field work. He worked at Huba Huba, and Quick Draw’s convenience stores, before becoming a custodian and delivery driver for Pamida. He then began working as a delivery driver for Hartig Drug, where he was then known as Walter. He worked there 15 years before regrettably retiring at age 84.

After moving to Waukon, he joined many coffee crews making lifelong friendships, where he could share his love of telling stories or jokes.

Survivors include a daughter, Deborah (Christian) Funk; a son, David (Darcy) Kurth; five grandchildren: Julie (Felix) Berger, Justin Jones, Emily (Clay) Rathbone, Jordan Kurth and Joshua Yearous; 16 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild to be born in May 2026; a brother-in-law, Jim (Sarah) Grahlman; and many nieces and nephews.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice; his brothers, Gerald and Gilbert; and his sister-in-law, June Sweeney. Junior will be deeply missed, but his stories will always be remembered.