Thomas E. "Tom" Kurth passed away at Dove Health in Osseo, WI on November 2, 2026, at 83 years of age.

Born February 28, 1943 at Memorial Hospital in Wausau, WI, he grew up enjoying life on a small dairy farm in Marathon County; he was the oldest of 4 brothers.

On August 12, 1966, he married Dianne Kuss at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. They moved to Ladysmith in 1975 where Tom began a 27-year career as an Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Bruce High School. They were blessed with two sons, two grandsons, two granddaughters, and a great grandson - along with two wonderful daughters-in-law and a wonderful granddaughter-in-law. Tom found joy being outdoors - walking in the woods, hunting, berry-picking and gardening. For the past 20 years, his single indoor avocation was playing the harp. He was grateful to have such a thoughtful and patient music teacher, Serena O’Meara. He loved music of all kinds, played a variety of instruments and sang in several choirs.

Tom and Dianne enjoyed traveling and were grateful for every opportunity to meet new people and learn about others’ cultures. After retirement, he returned to public service as a substitute teacher. He was affectionately known by many of his later students as “Mr. Up” from the movie Up. He was fortunate to continue educating until his 80th year.

Tom is survived by his wife, Dianne, sons Luther (Jodi), Leif (Margo), grandsons Tanner (Rachel), and Parker, granddaughters Bella and Shay, and great grandson, Maverick; Brother, James (Lynn) (Wausau), and Aunt, Arlyce Manney (Clifton, TX). Additionally, brother-in-law, Bill Straley (Helena, MT), sisters-in-law, Joyce Grant (Sandy, UT), Mary Witt (Cashton, WI), Roxanne Kuss (Chippewa Falls), and Cindie Fish (Wausau), as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and parents-in-law, Louis and Lois Hagedorn (Neilsville), George Muschamp (Minneapolis), and grandparents-in-law, Greg and Kim Mayer (Fall Creek). Preceding him: parents, Erich and Arletta Kurth, brothers, Daniel and wife Polly, and Scott; brothers-in-law, William Grant, James Baird, William Gunderson, Frederick Kuss, and Lynn Witt; sisters-in-law, Janice Baird, Lois Gunderson, and Ruth Straley; aunts and uncles, Ben and Bertha Herdt, Elmer and Erna Bahlow, Ralph and Dorothy Weber, Ewald and Charlotte Berghammer, and Willam Manney; and parent-in-law Molly Atwood Muschamp.

Tom and Dianne wish to thank Pastor Hanson (formerly of Ladysmith) for his welcoming and ecumenical example; Pastor Kangas for his inspirational sermons, and Pastor Harris for his faithful visitation as they became unable to attend weekly services. Additionally, sincere appreciation and utmost gratitude to all the staff at Mayo Clinic and Dove Health for their unfailing cheerfulness and professionalism, and all the friends and neighbors who’ve helped with their journey.

No services will be held at this time.

Complete obituaries will also be published in the Ladysmith News and Augusta Area Times.