Curtis (Curt) Vernon Walther of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on June 24, 2026. Curt was born in Linton, North Dakota on July 2, 1936 to Martin and Alvina Walther and grew up on a farm outside Linton. As with many farm kids, Curt was instilled with a strong work ethic early in his life. He was also raised with a strong faith in Christ and attended First Baptist Church in Linton, North Dakota. It was there he met the love of his life, Geraldine (Gerry) Ruth Fischer. He often stated that just one look at the young pianist and he knew she was the girl for him. Curt and Gerry married on December 27, 1956. Afterwards, they moved to Ashley, North Dakota where Curt owned a dry-cleaning business. Later, Curt took a job managing the local farming co-operative which eventually led to him joining Farmland Industries. His strong work ethic and and drive served him well in business and he eventually worked his way up the corporate ladder leading to his relocation to Kansas City. He retired from Farmland as a Vice President in 1999.

Despite moving away, Curt never forgot his North Dakota roots. He was very proud of North Dakota and maintained connections with that state throughout his life. And, he was always willing to share his ancestors’ journey from Germany through Russia to North Dakota.

Curt was passionate about church, family, sports, travel and photography. He was a dedicated member of Second Baptist Church in Liberty where he served in many capacities. He also became deeply involved in prison ministry after his retirement. He cherished Gerry, his children, grandchildren and great granddaughters. He was a supportive and fun grandpa. He attended many of his grandchildren’s youth sporting events and band and dance recitals whether they were in Kansas City, Liberty, Jefferson City or Texas. Each grandchild has wonderful individual memories of Curt, but they all remember good times at the lake house, especially Curt flipping them off the tube and jet ski rides with him at maximum speed!

As an avid sports fan, he embraced the local sports teams of each city that he lived in with the possible exception of the St. Louis Cardinals (to the dismay of certain extended family members), as well as the Missouri Tigers. When he wasn’t attending sporting events or watching sports, he could often be found on the golf course.

Curt loved to travel and while traveling developed a passion for photography. Curt and Gerry often traveled with their young family around the U.S visiting family members. Later in life, they traveled internationally to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, Mexico City, China and Italy. In 2017, he and Gerry took all their children and grandchildren on a beach trip to Mexico.

Curt was a lifelong learner and sharer of knowledge and loved embracing new technology. In his last year, he bought a new Tesla and became an expert on everything about it. He had a gift of listening to others and enjoyed engaging in conversations about new matters and had the ability to make people feel seen and heard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Neil.

Curt was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Gerry, his four children, Doug Walther (Barb), Sherry (Rod) Maples, Sue (Mark) Arensberg, and Tom Walther, his seven grandchildren, Blake (Abby Johnston) Maples, Zachary Walther, Rachel Walther, Caroline (Ethan) Ormsby, Christina (Brock) LaPlante, Matt Walther and Lindsey Walther, his two great granddaughters, Greer Johnston Maples and Baby Girl Ormsby, his siblings, Milo Walther (Bonnie), Carol (Butch) Krebsbach, Charles (LouAnn) Walther Bob (Marilyn) Walther, as well as many nieces, nephews and their children.

A memorial service will be held at Second Baptist Church in Liberty on Saturday July 18 at 1:00 pm. A visitation will held at the church at 12:00 p.m.