The inimitable William Arthur Kurth has peacefully departed. Born September 12, 1925, in Reid, WI to August and Josephine (Habeck) Kurth, "Bill" was the first boy of sixteen children, and one of nine siblings to serve in the military. He was raised in Ringle where he grew an appreciation for the outdoors that he bestowed on his progeny. His love of nature rivaled only his faith in God and the love and pride he so openly showed his family. Bill was never afraid to speak his mind and was an avid letter-writer until late in his life, heaping praise upon his loved ones in his missives.
By his own account, Bill was not a planner. He wound up where he needed to be, whether that was sleeping in a broom closet before shipping out with the U.S. Army (the Marine Corps was uninterested in letting him reenlist), walking the hills of San Francisco with his brother, or living in a bus in the woods. These choices led to ten children, whom he regaled with stories and the occasional tall tale, and nine grandchildren with whom he was always happy to dance and sing
Bill’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of his children, Debra (Lou) Cygan, Lita (John Yontz) Kurth, Elizabeth Kurth, John Kurth, Rebecca Lane, Karen Kurth, Jane (Tim) Passow, Grace (Mike) Ohde, and Ed (Shelly) Kurth; grandchildren Jessica Freye, Josh Kurth, Nicole Martinez, Ginger Grosinske, Violet Lane, Angelica Daleiden, Lilyanne Kurth-Yontz, and Samantha Passow; great-grandchildren Ana Freye, Aidan Xiong, Sophie Grosinske, and Isabella Seefeldt; and other relatives. He is also survived by siblings August “Ole” (Pat) Kurth Jr., Don Kurth, Shirley Schneider, and Bonnie Strehlow. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; son Timothy Kurth; granddaughter Amanda Reed; and siblings Adeline Kurth, Henry Kurth, Alice McDonald, Erna Kersten, Ruth Andreas, Esther Kurth, Joan Wolfe, David Kurth, Edna Roble, Orman Kurth, and Orville Kurth.
Friends can call at Maple Crest Funeral Home, Waupaca, on Thursday, October 7th at 10 A.M. Service follows at 11 A.M.
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