Obituary of Jerry Kurth

Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Kurth, 63, lifelong businessman of LeMars and Okoboji, Iowa, passed away April 17, 2012 at his home in Milford, Iowa, after a two year battle with cancer with family by his side. Jerry was born January 20, 1949, in LeMars, Iowa, to Norman and Orle (Uhl) Kurth. As a young man he worked for the family dry cleaning business and competed in football, basketball and golf for the LeMars Bulldogs. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church. After graduating from LeMars Community High School in 1967, Jerry became the sports director for KLEM radio station and ran the Dance-Mor Ballroom while attending Westmar College. On August 23, 1970, he married Debbie Clement and they had two children, Jennifer and Jay. Jerry began his business career in August, 1972 when he opened Neets N' Grubs Women's Wear and Neets N' Grubs Men's Wear in downtown LeMars. In the mid 1970's, Jerry obtained his real estate license, working for Kurth Real Estate and later opening and brokering Creative Reality. Jerry was very active in the community of LeMars. He was a member of the LeMars Chamber of Commerce helping to initiate the downtown Ridiculous Days and Bingo Tent at the Plymouth County Fair. Jerry also helped develop the West Floyd Slow-Pitch Softball Complex. During his real estate career, he established a subdivision in southeast LeMars and was instrumental in constructing numerous homes throughout the community. In 1994, Jerry moved to the Iowa Great Lakes area and began operating the Wharf Restaurant. He worked to make lakeside dining a fun family attraction. He retired in 2010. Jerry took great passion in whatever he did, helping many people along the way. He found enjoyment in fishing, coaching his children, watching football and playing cards with the boys. Jerry was a devoted father, brother, grandfather, friend and coach. He will be dearly missed. Survivors include his two children, Jennifer and her husband, Pete Isais, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jay and his wife, Jennifer Kurth, of Fort Collins, Colorado; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Kaye Kurth of LeMars, brother, Richard Kurth of LeMars; three grandchildren, Peter and Myah Isais and Blaise Kurth; three nieces, one nephew and special children Holly, Jenny and Joel Guthrie. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Linda Kurth and close friend and companion, Diane Guthrie.