Milton Wurth

Marcus, Iowa - Milton A. Wurth,79, of Marcus, Iowa passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Most Holy Name of Mary Parish-Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus. Father Timothy Pick will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Marcus. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 517. Visitation with the family present will be 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023, at the church. There will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation before the funeral on Saturday.

Milton Aloysius Wurth was born on April 27, 1944, in Le Mars, Iowa to Lawrence and Clarinda (Krier) Wurth. He attended school at Holy Name and graduated in 1963 from Holy Name High School. On October 27, 1964, Milton enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged on October 17, 1968, having attained the rank of Sergeant.

Milt met his bride-to-be, Barbara Fowler, on a blind date. Following a brief courtship, they were married on September 3, 1966, in Sioux City, Iowa. Soon after they married, the couple moved to Alconbury, England while Milt was stationed in the Air Force. They lived there for two years before moving back to Milt’s hometown of Marcus.

Milt farmed for 50 years, tending to land and livestock. While he loved being in a tractor, his children learned new words when he tended to the pigs. He never imagined doing anything other than farming until his own father needed care in a nursing home.

Milt started working at Heartland Care Center when his father became a resident there so he could keep an eye on him. His depth of kindness reached past just checking on his father and he soon became a favorite of many residents. Milt made many wonderful memories and friends there, many of whom cared for him until his dying day.

Milt was an active member of the American Legion, assisting with set up for the Parade of Flags on Memorial Day, as well as serving many funerals with military rites. He also served with the Knights of Columbus. Somehow, he still found time to help his wife establish Wurth Hardware.

Knowing Milt means you’ve smiled more, laughed harder, felt valued, and if you listened, are wiser. He passed on the words of his father to his own children, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” “You never have to explain what you don’t say,” was mostly for his daughter, but is sound advice.

Milt was loved by so many and he enriched our lives in ways we can pass on for generations. We can all ensure his kindness does not leave this world when he does.

A very special thank you to everyone at Heartland Care Center, both past and present staff, for every way you made Milt’s life better. We are truly grateful for your compassion and incredible care. Also, to Cherokee Regional Center Hospice. We relied on all of you to care for him in the most difficult time and you have been a true blessing to us.

Milt will be lovingly remembered by his children; Andrew Wurth of Marcus, IA, Dennis (Lauralee) Wurth of Rochester, MN, Kenneth Wurth of Hixson, TN, Angela (Spencer) Mortensen of Omaha, NE; his grandchildren, Madison, Nicholas, Melanie and Sam Wurth, Elliana and Alex Mortensen; brothers Joseph (Margaret) Wurth and Lawrence (Jean) Wurth, all of Marcus, IA; sister Mary (Larry) Leonard of Prairie Village, KS; sisters-in-law, Patricia Wurth of Marcus, IA and Margaret Wurth of Platteville, KS.

Milt was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his brothers, Francis Wurth and Marvin Wurth.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa