Rodney L. Kurth, 72, of Hutchinson passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Funeral Service was held Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township with interment in the church cemetery.
Clergy Officiating: Pastor David Markworth; Organist: Robin Kruse; Soloist: Jeff Danielson “Amazing Grace, My Chains are Broken”, “Precious Lord, Lead Me On”; Congregational Hymns: “In the Garden”; Honorary Casket Bearers: Godchildren: Linda Esser, Kathy Kurth, Kelli Foley, Melissa Yeats, Tyler Esser, Russel Kurth, Kourtney Mielke; Fishing Buddies: Dave Rusch, Glen Hoff,Harold Plath, Wally Plamann, Albion Plath; Cenex Board of Directors: Mike Conner, Lynn Mackedanz, Joe Tauer, Tom Christenson, Rodney Kirchhoff, Morris Rettman, Joe Mallak; Scott Thole; Brent Chrast; Casket Bearers: Tyler Esser, Mike Reinke, Russel Kurth, Brent Luthens, Brian Luthens, Dave Luedtke Rodney Lee Kurth was born on January 18, 1953, in Hutchinson.
He was the son of George and Gladys (Pless) Kurth. Rodney was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township. He received his education at District 1769, St. John’s Lutheran Parochial School, and Buffalo Lake High School, graduating with the class of 1971. On June 14, 1980, Rodney was united in marriage to Carolyn Dvorak at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township. This marriage was blessed with four children, Natasha, AJ, Phillip, Dan, and one foster daughter, Stephanie. They began their journey in Cosmos, continued to grow their family and build a dairy farm in Cedar Mills Township, and later retired in Hutchinson. Rodney and Carolyn shared 44 years of marriage. Rodney’s passion for farming was lifelong. After high school, he learned heavy equipment operating on the job at Lloyd Mortenson Construction. He went on to work with Lester’s in Lester Prairie and E&T Construction in Hutchinson. Rodney reunited with his passion and began milking cows on the farm, joining Carolyn in supporting Meeker County ADA and their activities, while being employed at Uni Hydro in Cosmos. He decided to continue farming full time until he was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Rodney was a member and served as a deacon of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township.
Rodney was very active in FFA, 4-H, and high school sports while attending Buffalo Lake High School. As his family grew, he continued to remain active with 4-H, sharing his passion with his children by teaching them how to show cattle. Rodney learned his butchering skills and talents from his parents, and passed them along to his children so they could continue for many generations. He and his buddies coached their children in community Little Leagues, was active with Hutchinson Wrestling Club, and followed his children’s sports through high school. Rodney was on the Board of Directors for Cenex- Hutchinson Co-op, Western Co-op Transport Association of Montevideo, and Cedar Mills Rod and Gun
Club. Rodney enjoyed being outdoors, fishing (especially ice fishing), and hunting all types of game. He loved bowling, playing cards, modified softball, participating in and attending demo derbies and following family and friends wrestling. Rodney cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. Blessed be his memory. Rodney is survived by his wife Carolyn Kurth of Hutchinson; children, Natasha Thompson and her husband Seth of Silver Lake, AJ Kurth and his wife Andrea of Hutchinson, Phillip Kurth and his wife Alyssa of Hutchinson, Dan Kurth and his wife Ally of Hutchinson, Stephanie Mielke of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Aceson, Axton, and Akley Kurth, Jaxson and Maddox Kurth, Lexy and Jameson Kurth, Kourtney and PJ Mielke; siblings, LeRoy Kurth and his wife Susan of Stewart, Richard Kurth and his wife Nancy of Stewart, Leonard Kurth and his wife Janice of New Ulm, Marilyn Rusch and her husband David of Hutchinson, Julie Kurth (sister-in-law) of Stewart, Mary Southwood of Chaska, Randy Kurth and his wife Tracy of Stewart, Linda Esser of and her husband Chuck of Stewart, Lorie Kirtz and her husband Doug of Hector; many other relatives and friends. Rodney is preceded in death by his parents, George and Gladys Kurth; father- and mother-in-law, Jim and Marian Dvorak; brother, Robert Kurth. Rodney’s family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and kindness in this time of sorrow. We are grateful for God’s presence throughout this journey. Your support has been and will continue to be welcomed. Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.
