Andrew Andy Lurth

Andrew "Andy" Lurth, age 62, of Kasota passed away on February 8, 2019, in Mankato.

Funeral Service will be 3:00 PM on Monday, February 11, 2019, at Grace Baptist Church in Mankato with visitation one hour prior. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to Grace Baptist Church.

Andrew Garvin Lurth (A.K.A. The Kasota Kid) was born April 4, 1956 to Bertha and Garvin (Bud) Lurth in Mankato Minnesota. Andy lived at the family farm located on Shanaska Creek Road and attended schools in St. Peter graduating in 1974. After high school Andy attended The University of Minnesota's St. Paul farm campus. Andy then went to the University of Minnesota Duluth where he graduated with a degree in Political Science and Psychology. He took pride in being President of the student body at Duluth. Subsequently Andy attended Hamline Law School and did graduate work in Urban Studies at Mankato State University.

Andy returned home to his family farm in Kasota after attending Hamline Law School. Earlier Andy had pursued and excelled in public speaking during his time attending St. Peter High School in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) program. Andy then continued after his return home honing his skills of public speaking through Toastmasters International.

Andy had a variety of interests including .walking his dog Rusty, reading his Bible and watching and listening to play by play action of the Minnesota Twins. Andy's baseball interest was evident by his membership in SABR ( Society of American Baseball Research). Andy was a expert on baseball trivia and the board game -Trivial Pursuit . In social settings, which ever team had Andy on their side won the Trivial Pursuit game.

Andy is survived by 3 first cousins: Bill Lurth of Minnetonka Minnesota, Jim Lurth of Minersville Utah and Diane Lurth Wilson of Rockway New Jersey. Andy is also survived by numerous friends and neighbors including a number of fellow students Andy meet at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. For over 40 years Andy maintained a friendship with many of these individuals and 6 of these men are serving as Andy's pallbearers.

Andy was proceeded in death by his parents and numerous relatives.

Andy requested that his obituary reflect his strong Christian faith. He wanted to publicly thank and encourage Pastors John Michaels and Larry Johnson of Grace Baptist Church for their leadership and dedication to the proclamation of the Gospel. Andy also thanks Grace Baptist Church for their ministry to him. Andy wanted to also thank his special friend Jerry Ulrich for his support and kindness over the last 30 years.

Andy had a godly heart for everyone he came in contact with. With a diagnosis of terminal cancer Andy while laying on his back in the back of a MediVan transit vehicle traveling from Rochester to Mankato encouraged his driver to walk in faith with God. Andy's cell phone message witnessed to everyone who called . The message stated "only Jesus saves".

Andy during his final days battling cancer Andy gave thanks for each day God gave him on earth. He often repeated the verses from John 14 where Jesus said" In my father's house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you...". Andy stated that he was going to be moving into his mansion in heaven and he was going to be looking forward to seeing everyone again very soon!