Jerome Francis Kurth, age 85, of Baring, MO, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2015, in his home at Baring Lake Country Club.
He was born October 23, 1930, in Knox County, MO, the son of Norbert J. and Alice Karhoff Kurth. He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Watson on September 5, 1954, at Edina, MO and she preceded him in death on November 19, 1992. To this union two children were born. On May 6, 1995, he was united in marriage to Betty Gelbach at Gladstone, MO.
Surviving are his wife Betty Kurth of Baring, MO, one daughter Cindy Davis and husband Donnie of Edina, MO, one son Craig Kurth and wife Ellen of Lee's Summit, MO, three step-children, Michael Jay Gelbach and wife Jane of Memphis, MO, Pamela Kaye Stanfill and husband Steve of Adamsville, TN, and Sharon Leann Krenz and husband Randy of Prescott, WI, four grandchildren, Leah Goodwin and husband James, Meagan Davis, Alexandra and Zach Kurth, five step-grandchildren Russ Gelbach, Dylan Gelbach, Amy Burns and husband Jonathan, Eric Krenz and Emily Serres and husband Adam, two great grandchildren, Carter and London Goodwin, two step-great grandchildren, Ellis Burns and Will Serres, one brother Tom Kurth and wife Janie of Edina, MO, one sister Dorothy Rogerson of Kirksville, MO, a brother-in-law Tony Gibbons of Lake St. Louis, MO, and several nieces and nephews.
Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth Ann, a sister Ann Marie Gibbons, a brother-in-law Rod Rogerson, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Dorothy Warford.
Jerome grew up on a farm Northeast of Edina. He went to school at the Dailing Country School, 1st through 8th grade with 5 kids in his class. 15 Students in the whole school. The teacher performed many task such as cooking lunch, making the fire to keep the school house warm. The teacher would stay at the homes of students.
Jerome went to high school in Edina at the St. Joseph High School. 9 kids in his class. After high school, Jerome went to work on the family farm until January 1950 that is when he enlisted into the United States Navy. Bootcamp was in the Great Lakes region of Chicago. After completing boot camp, he was assigned to Little Creek Virginia to train for a quarter Master Signal Man. December 1950, he was assigned to the ship LSD21 Fort Mandan Station at Norfolk, Va. While being on this ship, they hauled army & marine personal to North Korea. This ship was the first ship to tour Greenland and they build the first air force base there.
Jerome was discharge in 1953 in Washington DC. And then returned to help Norbert on the farm. As he returned to the farm, Jerome's mother Alice was very ill with Cancer and she passed away.
In 1954, Jerome and Ruth were married in Edina. They lived on the farm for 2 years. Jerome decided he would like to try to do something else besides farming so they moved to St. Louis. Jerome worked at White Rogers Electric Co.
In 1957, Cindy was born. After 2 more years, they decided to come back to Edina in 1959. Craig was born in 1961 at Grim Smith hospital.
Jerome and his brother Tommy Kurth became equal partners in Kurth Brothers farm until Jerome retired in 1994. They enjoyed going to ball game from grade school to college. They had many friends and lots of fun get together after the ballgames. Ruth and Jerome enjoyed golf and the many social gatherings at the Edina Country Club, as well as their many trips with couples to Las Vegas. They took yearly vacations to go to St. Louis and watch the Cardinals play. Ruth became ill in 1990 and she passed away in 1992 at their home.
Jerome moved to Kansas City and Married Betty Gelbach in 1995. Jerome and Betty enjoyed traveling, Going on Cruises, and spending time with family and friends. They moved back to the Baring 2002 and has been very involved with many social functions at the Baring Lake. Jerome was a little league baseball coach, President of the St. Joseph School Board, 3rd ward Alderman in Edina, an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus (since 1952), and helped build the addition portion of the Edina Country Club. Jerome was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and MU Tiger Fan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2016, in the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edina, MO. Father Colin Franklin will officiate the services. Burial with full Military Honors will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Music will be provided by Kyle Clark and Natalie Clark, vocalist and Nancy Reardon, organist.
Casket bearer will be Eric Kurth, Eldon Parrish, Billy Early, Mark Whiston, Ron Poore, Zach Kurth, Russ Gelbach and Dylan Gelbach.
Honorary bearers will be Joe Young, Brian Primm, Delbert Rourke, Casey Barnhill, Don Cahalan, Cole Campbell, Donnie Harrison, Dean Siem, Kenny Sutton and Dick Johnson.
Visitation will bel held after 4 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2015, with family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. A Prayer service and Celebrations of life stories from family and friends will begin at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northeast MO, or the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.
www.hudsonrimerfh.com