Carl E. Kurt, 93, of Cascade, Iowa, and formerly of Fillmore, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Accura Healthcare surrounded by his family.Visitation for Carl will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. at Reiff Funeral Home.A Mass of Christian Burial for Carl will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fillmore, Iowa, with Rev. Anthony J. Kruse presiding. Burial will be held in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fillmore, Iowa, where full military honors will be accorded by the Cascade American Legion Post #528. Carl was born July 21, 1933, in Cascade, Iowa, son of John P. and Lena (Hosch) Kurt. Carl was one of Ma’s beloved “three little boys,” as he was the third youngest of eleven children. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s School in Cascade. After school, Carl enlisted in the Army and served in Korea from 1952-1954.On January 25, 1958, Carl was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Lou Van Nest. Together they raised their family on the farm at Fillmore until Mary Lou’s passing in 1992. Carl continued as a strong and loving foundation for his family and always had a smile and a story for everyone he met. The farm was Carl’s happy place. He took immense pride in it and would have spent every day there if he could. Some of his family’s fondest memories were made on the farm—fishing at the pond, riding and driving John Deere tractors, and gathering there for holidays. For Carl, the farm was more than a place; it was where he felt most at home.Carl’s life centered on his belief in Faith, Family, and Farming. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fillmore, Iowa. He also previously served as a Eucharistic Minister and was on the Sacred Heart Fillmore Parish Board and the boards of the Fillmore School and Aquin School. He was a member of the Iowa Beef Cattle Feeders Association. He entered corn-growing contests and won the highest yield, and he was a successful cattle feeder throughout his life. He took pride in his farm and used what he learned as a boy on Pa’s farm to build a successful operation of his own, including everything John Deere. Carl never met a stranger. He had a genuine kindness that made people feel welcome, and he could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He was known for his easy smile, his stories, and his ability to make people feel like they had known him forever.Left to cherish Carl’s memory are his five children, Carla (Jim) Fillman of Cascade, IA, Colleen (Kevin) Holtz of Monticello, IA, Scott (Lori) Kurt of Fillmore, IA, Brian (Nancy) Kurt of Vinton, IA, and Sara (Dave) Heisdorffer of Walford, IA; ten grandchildren; Tyler Kurt, Jill Trumm, Jake (Liz) Trumm, Abby (Travis) Ryan, Noah and Colin Kurt, Alex, Chelsey, Aiden, and Carley Heisdorffer, five great-grandchildren; Will and Cole Ryan, Ever Iannucci, Jack and Gus Trumm, one brother and two sisters-in-law, Melvin (Lavonne) Kurt, and Trudy Kurt, all of Cascade, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Carl is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Lou; brothers, sisters, and in-laws, Fred (Alvina) Kurt, Mary (Wilfred) Dolphin, Joe (Jane) Kurt, Sam (Tess) Kurt, Andrew Kurt, Herb (Dottie) Kurt, Margaret Ann (Ralph) Otting, Eleanor (Pat) Burke, Anna Mae (Bill) Lehman, Leon Kurt, Herb Quint, and Carol (Dave) Dolphin.The family wishes to thank Above and Beyond Home Health & Hospice Care for the compassionate care given to Dad over the years.