Curly Jim Werth

Curly Jim Werth, age 82, of Spring Valley, Minn., died Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Cottage Wood Memory Care in Rochester, Minn. 

Curly was born on July 16, 1942, to Amil and Erma (Schmidt) Werth in Rochester, Minn. On June 4, 1964, he was united in marriage to Joyce M. Caughel in North Goodland, Mich. Curly attended Spring Valley High School and graduated co-valedictorian in 1960. He attended Indiana Technical College in Fort Wayne, Ind., from September 1960 until February 1961. He then attended Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Minn., from January 1962 until May 1965, graduating with highest honors. He furthered his education at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, Minn., completing his Master of Divinity, graduating in May 1970 with cum laude honors. On June 4, 1971, he accepted the position as the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Morris, Minn. While there he served as general contractor and carpenter, putting a top story on the basement of the church. He established well known Vacation Bible Schools, camps, and canoe trips. In 1978 he established the Morris Baptist Academy, serving as the administrator. In May 1992, Curly became the pastor of the Oldham Baptist Church in Oldham, S. Dak. He served there for 11 1/2 years. While there he became a member of the Oldham Fire Department and developed a system for the alarm to be set off from a remote location. While in Oldham he carried out an extensive hospital ministry. In October 2002, he moved to Rochester, Minn., to be near his mother. On February 29, 2003, he became the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Stewartville, Minn. Due to illness, in August 2011, he retired from being a pastor and serving the people God called him to serve, which was the greatest joy of his life. 

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Werth; sons Jeff (Gwynette) Werth and Brian Werth (friend Susan), grandchildren Rachel (Mitch) Kuznar, Timothy (Ashley) Werth and Joshua (Jeannita) Werth; seven great-grandchildren, siblings Doris (Roger) Cooper, Vernon (Linda) Werth and Marvin (Judy) Werth. 

Curly was preceded in death by his parents Amil and Erma Werth. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, Minn. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with a time of fellowship immediately following the service. The burial will be held at a later date. The service will be live streamed at www.youtube.com/@fbcspringvalleymn5487. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to First Baptist Church 701 Kasten Drive, Spring Valley, Minn. 55975 and Spring Valley Area Ambulance at 210 S. Broadway Ave, Spring Valley, Minn. 55975.