The funeral service for Elaine Kurth will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, at Peace United Methodist Church, in rural Plainview/Elgin with Rev. David Mead officiating, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the Elgin Cemetery in Elgin.

Mrs. Kurth, 86, of Rochester and formerly of Elgin, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester, Saint Marys Campus.

Elaine Lila Welke was born at home on October 3, 1928 on the Welke family farm near Hammond, to Alford and Lila (Wegner) Welke. She grew up in rural Hammond and attended School District #48 in Zumbro/Hyde Park Township. Elaine graduated in 1947 from Rochester High School, and went on to attend Winona State Teachers College. On July 9, 1949 she married Donald Kurth at Hammond, they were later divorced in 1979.

Elaine worked for the Bell Telephone in St. Paul after attending college. Most of her life she lived in Elgin where she helped her husband establish the Kurth Bus Service in 1953, and later the trenching service. For the past eight years Elaine has resided at Maple Manor Health Care in Rochester.

Elaine was a member the Elgin American Legion Auxiliary for 66 years and was a past president. She was also very active in the Elgin Commercial Club, and the Republican Party. She also served as a Boy Scout Leader of her son's troop in Elgin. Elaine was a member
of Peace United Methodist Church.

She enjoyed growing roses, and tested rose varieties for Jackson and Perkins. Elaine also loved to bake buns, and to garden and can vegetables for her family to enjoy all year. She took care of her aging parents at their home until they died, and later her Aunt Alnora Welke.

She is survived by her son, Ron (Roberta) Kurth of Elgin; three granddaughters, Kareen (Kory) Bigalk of Plainview, Karla (Paul) Appel of Millville, and Kimberly (Adam) Lyons of Plainview; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, LeRoy (Rose) Welke of Rochester, and DeWayne Welke of Illinois. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Morris Welke.