C. Joseph "Joe" Kurth, age 66, of rural Darlington, WI, slept away Saturday, September 21, 2013, at his home with his family at his side. He was born November 1, 1946 in Dodgeville, WI, the son of Darwin and Kathryn (Thompson) Kurth. Joe graduated from Darlington High School in 1964. He worked as a printing assistant for Lafayette County News and as a handyman. He also worked as a powder man in the mines in Southwest Wisconsin along with his father, before joining the Lafayette County Highway Department until his retirement in 2012.

Joe is survived by three sisters: Mary F. Kurth of Madison, WI, Carol (Edward) Stevenson of Oconomowoc, WI, and Sabra (David McNeely) Kurth of Havre de Grace, MD; four brothers: John "Jack" (Cindy) Kurth of Monroe, WI, Darwin "Boo" (Debra) Kurth of Hazel Green, WI, Leroy (Brenda Olson) Kurth of Madison, WI, and David Kurth of Fennimore, WI; one sister-in-law: Mary C. Kurth of Darlington; one brother-in-law: Allen (Jean) King of Shullsburg, WI; nieces and nephews: Timm (Melissa) King, Gavin (Heather) King, Brandy (Travis) Sysko, Levi (Kelly) Kurth, Derek and Matt Kurth, Carly, Jeffrey, and Orin Kurth, Katy and Kristina McNeely, Shannon (Jason) Fisher, Michelle (Robert) Larabee, Jeramy Calow, and Greg Middlestedt; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: James Peter Kurth on March 20, 1970 and Timothy Kurth on January 27, 2012; and one sister: Kathryn King on August 8, 1999.

Joe was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington, Darlington Rifle Club, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #171 of Darlington. He was an avid reader, fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. Joe truly enjoyed all the natural world around him as an observer of wildlife and botany. Joe relished history, and did some lecturing on the history of mining in Southwest Wisconsin. He was the family historian, and had a vast repertory of facts and anecdotes to share with all. Joe had an outgoing personality, and an eclectic and diversified group of close friends and acquaintances. He thrived on meeting with old and new friends and sharing stories.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 26, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 104 East Harriet Street in Darlington with Rev. John Bosco Pudhota officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home, 508 Main Street in Darlington and Thursday, September 26, 2013, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Joe's name.