Russ Kurth

Russell Gene Kurth was born January 17, 1954, to Paul and Rose Mary (Sherlock) Kurth in LeMars, Iowa. He was raised in LeMars and graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in 1972. He then graduated from Iowa State University in 1977 with a degree in animal science. He worked as a SCS trainee in May 1975 in LeMars. From 1977-1979 he worked in Logan as a soil conservationist. Russ married Peggy Moffatt on December 16, 1978, in LeMars. The family moved to Newton, Iowa in 1979, where he worked as a district conservationist through 1981, and then from 1981-1986 he was located at Shenandoah as an area resource conservationist. He became a Harrison County District Conservationist in 1986. Russ started farming the family farm in the 1990s. His career spanned hundreds of miles of travel and working with hundreds of farmers. Russ has always said that the favorite part of his job has been working with the farmers. He felt there are many good conservation-minded farmers in the county and he has enjoyed helping them protect and improve their land. He retired from the NRCS after 34 years.

Russ was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church, where he served as a trustee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a 4th Degree Knight, and served as Grand Knight. He was an active member of the Logan Kiwanis. He was a certified crop advisor, member of Farm Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers, the Harrison Cattleman's Assoc., and was an avid blood donor to the American Red Cross. Russ was currently a Harrison County REC board member and had been serving on the Harrison County Board of Supervisors since 2014. Russ was very proud of being from LeMars, the "ICE CREAM CAPITOL OF THE WORLD!" Russ was a strong believer of faith, family, hard work, and community.

Russ died November 7, 2017, as the result of a farm accident at the age of 63 years, nine months, and 21 days.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Kurth of Logan, Iowa; three sons, Brad (Justine) Kurth of Logan, Iowa, Riley (Becca) Kurth of Missouri Valley, Iowa and Tyson (Candace) Kurth of Logan, Iowa; eight grandchildren; three brothers, Dan (Ann) Kurth of Aledo, Texas, Mike (Jeaniene) Kurth of Silverthorne, Colorado and Randy (Liz) Kurth of LeMars, Iowa; sister Barb (David) Foley of Akron, Iowa and many, many, many other relatives and friends.