Mass of Christian Burial for Leroy “Bud” Kurth, 87, of Estherville, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 29, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with Father Paul Kelly officiating. Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Estherville. Visitation was held Wednesday at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
LeRoy Henry Kurth, Jr., (just weeks away from his 88th birthday) ~ known by everyone as “Bud”, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 24, 2025, at Aspire of Estherville. Bud was born in Iowa City at The University of Iowa Hospital on June 14, 1937, and returned with his parents, six brothers, and three sisters to a farm near Mapleton, IA and later moved to another farm near Le Mars, IA in 1941. He spent his youth helping with the family farm and playing football and basketball in high school. At the encouragement of his older brother Robert, he served his country for seven years in the U.S Navy Reserves and Construction Battalion “SeaBees”.
Upon graduation from Gehlen Catholic High School, Le Mars, IA in 1955, Bud then attended Westmar College in Le Mars graduating with a degree in Teaching & Industrial Arts in 1959. During a Christmas break, on December 26, 1959, Bud and Judith “Judy” Groetken were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and settled in Strawberry Point, IA to begin their lives together as a teacher and nurse. Bud and Judy welcomed their first son, Patrick in April 1961.
In 1964, Bud accepted a new teaching position, and the family relocated to Estherville, IA. Shortly after relocating, they welcomed their second son, Gary in March 1965. During his early career as a teacher, he completed his Master’s degree in Industrial Arts at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO in 1966. With a growing family, Bud and Judy purchased a lot on Knollwood Drive where they began building their lifelong home. Bud completed much of the construction on the home while they occupied the finished basement, completing the home in 1967. Bud and Judy welcomed their third child, Tracy in August 1974.
Bud taught construction, welding/metal work, engine mechanics, electricity, and woodworking classes to thousands of boys and girls at Estherville High School. Summers were filled with building and repairing many projects, cabinets, and furniture for his own family, Iowa Lakes Community College, and local residents. He continued this routine until his “official” retirement from education in 1999. Thankfully the projects and cabinetry building continued for many additional years to the benefit of many families and friends. Bud was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he participated in the Knights of Columbus.
During his free time, Bud enjoyed golfing with his family and buddies; there were many good golf stories shared at the 19th hole. Bud and Judy had many adventures with their children exploring the U.S. in the camper during summer vacations. Many hours were also enjoyed boating and waterskiing at Lake Okoboji, hunting and fishing with Patrick and other friends, and snow skiing during spring breaks in Colorado. Bud and Judy also enjoyed countless hours enjoying Tracy’s softball games throughout high school and college and then Levi’s (their grandson) baseball games. There even were some long vacations to California and Hawaii to visit Gary. Bud and Judy enjoyed being snowbirds in Tree Lakes Resort in Florida, for many years. Bud also had a best buddy goldendoodle dog named Dakota whenever he visited Tracy in Sioux Falls, SD.
Bud and Judy celebrated 61 years of marriage before losing Judy to Covid in December 2020. He also lost his son Patrick in June 1985. He is survived by his daughter Tracy Nielsen, her husband Chris, grandson Levi, son Gary, and brother Joseph (Joanne) Kurth. He is preceded in death by his parents Leroy H. Kurth, Sr. and Margaret (Mack); siblings: Ann Margaret (in infancy), Larry (Armella) Kurth, Mary (Lyle) Rosburg, Ronald (Ester) Kurth, Paul (Rosie) Kurth, Gerald (Marlene) Kurth, Charlene (Delmer) Lehner, and Robert “Bob” Kurth; sister-in-law Helga Groetken; and brother-in-law Darwin Smith.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com
