Mary Kurth

Published 12:00 am Sunday, March 22, 2009

Mary Elizabeth (Meyer) Kurth, age 84, of Austin called into the presence of Christ Friday, March 20, 2009 at her home.
Mary was born on the family homestead farm in Lyle Township, Minn.  She was the first child of Henry and Myrtle Meyer of Lyle.  She was the oldest of five children.  Mary was an active member of 4H.  In 1939 Mary won the 4-H Champion for her bread-making.  We all have tasted Mary’s mouth-watering bread and rolls.  She sometimes managed to get creative with the frosting but were always a staple in the Kurth household. 
After graduating from Austin Central High School in 1942, during September of the same year she married Arnold Lawrence Kurth.  Mary in her first years of marriage while Arnold was away in the war waitressed at the Oak Grill in Austin.  Living with her sister, Margie and her best friend, Inez Ingvalson.  After Arnold returned from the war they built their first home on Locust Street.  Many of their neighbors have shared with us stories of those early years. 
Mary was a devoted wife and mother besides a full-time employee of the Hormel Corp. for 43 years.  She worked in the cafeteria the majority of those years and fed hundreds of employees every day.  Most of them could distinguish Mary’s laughter across the cafeteria.  Many happy memories were made at the plant over the years.  In 1985 Mary had the privilege of beginning her “leisurely” life of retirement.  The majority of her time was spent antiquing while visiting friends and relatives across the country and doting on her precious grandchildren.  Her grandchildren were always ecstatic about a visit from their grandparents, this meant great cooking, special treats and probably a few surprises. 
Mary was also a devout Catholic of unwavering faith who dedicated many years of service at St. Augustine Church, St. Anne’s unit and anyone who asked her to help.  Arnold went along to be her “go for.”  Mary’s many passions included rosary-making, traveling, shopping, avid collector, cooking, spending time with friends and family.  Those who knew and loved Mary will always remember her infectious laugh and her pleasant disposition.  May she rest in peace. 
 Survivors include her husband: Arnold L. Kurth, Austin; children: Lawrence H. Kurth (Lonna Ingram), Des Moines, Iowa, Mary Kathryn Kurth Osmonson, Eagan, Minn., Annette M. Kurth Walker (Rodney), Hastings, Minn.; four grandchildren: Stephen W. Osmonson, Eagan, Stacy K. Valdez (Jonathan), Chaska, Minn., Alexandar J. Walker, Hastings, Minn., Andrew L. Walker, Hastings, Minn.; one great-granddaughter, Sydney Valdez; siblings: Paul J. Meyer (Gail), Bella Vista, Ark., Margaret K. Pedersen, San Jose, Calif.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Myrtle (Dickey) Meyer; daughter, Patricia Ann; brothers, John Henry Meyer, Richard Leo Meyer.
A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Joe Fogal, Father Paul Nelson and Father James Seitz officiating. There will be a 4 p.m. CCW rosary and a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
The honorary casketbearers will be Paul J. Meyer and Donald Wagner.  The casketbearers will be Stephen Osmonson, Stacy Valdez, Alexandar Walker, Andrew Walker, Rodney Walker and Jonathan Valdez.

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