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Sara Kurth
May 11, 1944 — April 5, 2026
Sara Kurth, age 81, of Marshalltown, passed away in the care of the Iowa River Hospice with her family at her side.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 1st (please note date) at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Thursday April 30th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens at a later date. Memorials in her honor may directed to the Iowa River Hospice.
Born on May 11th, 1944, in Marshalltown, she was one of two daughters born to Calvin and Maude (Hull) Neve. She grew up on the north side of Marshalltown on North 15th Street. While in her freshman year of school, a handsome young man named Tom Kurth, caught her eye. From that time, the two were inseparable- even though he was from the “south side” (one block south of Main Street). These high school sweethearts graduated from the Marshalltown High School in 1962. Sara continued her education at Iowa State then the Marshalltown Junior College before receiving her teacher’s degree in history (like her mother) from the Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls in May of 1966. She student taught for the Newton Public Schools.
On December 21st, 1963, on a day remembered to be 25 degrees below zero, the two were united in marriage at the First Presbyterian Church. Tom’s car wouldn’t start due to the cold, so a 1953 Buick Roadmaster ushered the newlyweds through the day. Cars were an important part of the Kurth life- a Corvette and later Camaro were definite highlights.
In July of 1965, the couple alongside their families started building the family home on Highland Acres Road and moved into the house in January of 1966. It has been a loving environment for over 60 years to the Kurth couple, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sara did substitute teaching for the Marshalltown Schools and then bookkeeping for her father’s real estate business. The joy of starting a family came into their life with the birth of daughter, Tracy and later son, David. When Tom’s dad incurred some critical health issues, Tom took over the garbage service route that had been owned by his family since 1928, and later Sara started taking the books over for the company.
Sara treasured her family and the events they were in, the monthly lunches with the Class of 1962, bowling, weekly lunches with bowling friends, puzzles, Tri-T meetings, and traveling in the motorhome from coast to coast and border to border and even beyond with a 40 day trip to Northpole , Alaska. It was a trip that pushed her boundaries by the 38th day! She was known for her cookies for her husband’s RAGBRAI club providing them on the Wednesday of the ride. She helped organize and support the 5K/10K run at Oktemberfest each year as well as help with traffic control alongside Tom. Another enjoyment she found was serving on the board of MFL where she participated in the concession stands while her husband was a coordinator; she was on the MFL board for 4-5 years for 3rd to 6th graders with the assistance of her husband. She enjoyed her dogs and simply, she just enjoyed life in general.
Left to cherish her memory is Tom, her loving husband of 62 years; daughter Tracy (Steve) Simbides of Marshalltown; son David (Ann) Kurth of Grimes; grandchildren: Taylor (Neil) Frizzell of Toledo, Jordyn (Ray) Dulaney of Marshalltown, Carsen (Mae) Kurth of Wheat Ridge, CO, Megan Kurth (fiancée Tyler Budden) of Ankeny; great-grandchildren: Reese Dulaney, Olivia Frizzell, Micah Dulaney, Levi Kurth and her sister, Nancy (Larry) Bartholomew of Williamsburg, VA, as well as numerous friends and other family.
In death, she rejoined her parents. https://www.mitchellfh.com/obituaries/sara-kurth
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Jane Middleton
The Kurth family and the class of 1962 have lost a very special person, Sara Neve Kurth. Both, Sara and Tom and I go back to kindergarten at Franklin School. Sara always had really nice clothes, as did her sister, Nancy. We had a birthday party at the home of Terry Simon on Summit Street. It must have been in the eighth grade, and we all wrapped Tom up in a box and presented him as her gift. In recent years, I sent the photos of this event to Sara and Tom, so they go back, before high school. Sara's mother was my history teacher.
As her history shows, Sara was the glue that kept her family together and her community together. For us, she was instrumental in helping to plan our many class reunions. I am the same age, but sorry, it is still a shock and grief when we lose "one of us".
To Tom and the children and the grandchildren and the great grandchildren, there are so many of us who share your sorrow,
Peace be with her on her next journey, Hugs to Tom. Jane Middleton, a kid from 12th Street
Virginia Mahnke (Eich)
I'm going to be so lost without Sara ! She has been the best at keeping the website going for such a long time. We spent lots of time getting to know each other and figuring how the tech stuff worked! She was way past me in keeping up and keeping it going. We have had such fun with the monthly lunches which she sent the messages out every month and there are at least 12 classmates that come regularly. We have enjoyed the friendships developed with Tom and Sara and those attending the dinners! We will all miss her ! Gone to quickly! Our Sympathy and Prayer and support to Tom and the family!
Patricia Ann Blum (St. Mary 62) (Ikan)
I will miss Sara— I got to know her when I started helping with the St. Mary’s/MHS reunion planning for 2002. I didn’t realize until now that Tom and Sara were such early sweethearts—no wonder they always seemed to me like a great team! I extend my sympathies to Tom and the family.
We’ve lost another wonderful Class of ’62 person. At our age, I guess I should be getting used to it but I never am.
Rex Lowe
We are so sad to hear of Sara's passing. What a wonderful woman from a wonderful family. She will be deeply missed. Thom and Sara Were our touchstones whenever we visited Marshalltown. Tom and family I know how much this hurts and I hope you can be strong and keep the memory of Sara alive
Love, Rex and Sheryn
Betty Cartwright (Bruce)
These words are nothing compared to what you and your family are feeling now. We have so many wonderful memories of Sara, being in Bobbettes ,Pep Club, (M)ushers and desk mate in Col. Kingsbury's chemistry class behind Gene Speer and Jim Hildebrand! Many fun memories. We also played bridge with June Zwemke McKibben, our babies in playpens when June was excited about meeting up with Bill in Hawaii for R and R before he passed in Vietnam! So many memories we can hold dear!
Richard Stanley
Dear Tom, Family, & Friends,
My condolences to all .
Sara's leaving us is hard to accept.
When you became Sara's friend, you just knew you were a person who she would always care about. Whenever I saw her, she always "spoke" her warm 'hello, Rich" to me for sure with her eyes:.
I often think of the lyrics to the Judy Collins' "Song for Judith (Open the Door)" which are, in part: "Open the door and come on it. I'm so glad to see you my friend. You're like a rainbow coming around the bend. And when I see you happy, well, it sets my heart free. I'd like to be as good a friend to you as you are to me."
Thank you, Sara. I will try to pass on her great example and legacy to the other friends in my life who mean the world to me. Hers was an invaluable gift to us who were so fortunate to know her. We can all carry that gift in our hearts and share as she did as a living tribute to her, and give without limits to others.
“Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.” — Seneca
Rich
Denise Stewart
Rich, I couldn't have said it better. I'm not good at putting my feelings into words, but my heart is broken and losing such a wonderful friend. Tom and his family were so fortunate to have her in their lives. I know her family meant everything. We all miss her deeply!
Vern Lang
We are all shocked with the news of the passing of a wonderful wife, mother and all around wonderful human being. Tom, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family during this sad time. Sara will never be forgotten and will always be remembered.
Joan Wolfe (Wolfe)
Unfortunately I have not seen Sara in years but I thought of her and Tom. What a special person and what a special couple. She was always so strong and calm ( at least my memories ) and such a loyal friend.
So sorry Tom and for your family. She will be in my thughts.
Joan
James Stewart
Tom, I am so sorry for you and your family for the loss of Sara. I know the sadness you must feel as my wife just passed away March 13 of this year after a long illness. Just want you to know we are thinking of you and may GOD give you comfort in your time of sorrow.