Wish This Iowan a Happy Birthday, You’ve Probably Stopped By His Place!

Birthdays come but once a year.  We all get older, and there's nothing we can do about it.  Some age better than others.  Some of us get to leave a mark that will last long after we're gone.

That probably will be the case with our next birthday salute.  Join me in wishing Kurvin C. "KC" Fish, co-founder of Casey's General Store, a very happy birthday.  🎂

It's quite often that we hear a knock on the door, and it's our friends from Casey's stopping by with a little something for the morning team.  They are a great partner and community supporter.

A Casey's Facebook page honored "KC" on his big day, and I thought we'd join in the fun.  They say On December 8, 1916, the world was graced with the birth of Kurvin C. "KC" Fish, the guy who would eventually help create one of Iowa's most beloved institutions—Casey's General Store.

This little convenience store chain started off as a single location, but today it’s everywhere, with over 2,400 stores spread across 16 states. Talk about growth!

How Did Casey's Get Its Start?

The story goes like this: In 1959, KC's buddy Donald Lamberti bought a gas station in Boone, Iowa, and decided to do something a little different. He turned it into a convenience store and—wait for it—named it after his pal KC. Did you wait for it?

It's not exactly the most creative name, but it worked! The store was a hit, and before long, Lamberti had opened another store in Creston, then more, and more. By the 1970s, Casey’s had 118 locations, and it wasn’t stopping anytime soon.

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In 1983, Casey’s went public (yep, they were officially a big deal by then), and they added donuts to the menu. Well done Casey's! Donuts, the breakfast of champions. But, the real game-changer came in 1984 when they introduced pizza at their store in Corning, Iowa.

That’s when Casey’s went from a gas station with some snacks to a full-blown Iowa legend (fireworks here, please). People couldn’t get enough of their pizza, especially the taco pizza, which has become a fan favorite.

Speaking of that taco pizza, it does seem to be the one people love.  It's always a choice any time our group picks up pizzas.  My wife loves that one, too, though it's a bit heavy for me.  I get through 8 to 12 slices and I can't eat anymore! I prefer to knock out a few orders of their cheesy breadsticks.

Now, Casey’s is known for serving up everything from breakfast pizza to donuts to gas. It’s practically a rite of passage for Iowans—grab a slice and fill up your tank. From a humble gas station in Boone to the cultural icon it is today, Casey’s really hit it out of the park.

Who is Kurvin Fish?

Know that Kurvin Fish is no longer with us.  He passed away on Monday, November 3, 2003.  His obituary from the Iles Funeral Home said Kurvin was born December 8, 1916, in Sharon, Kansas.

He met Helen Margaret Cobb in Centralia, Illinois while attending Brown's Business College. They later married on September 24, 1939, in St. Charles, Missouri. To this union was born two daughters, Barbara and Peggy.

Following his graduation from Brown's Business College, Kurvin worked in the oil industry for many years, which brought him to Ankeny, Iowa.

While working in Des Moines, Kurvin met Don Lamberti and in 1967 they founded a business named Square Deal Oil Company, which later became Casey's General Store Corporation, named after Kurvin's initials.

Kurvin was the first President and CEO of Casey's and retired in 1981 with over 300 Casey's General Stores in existence.

We remember him and wish "KC" a Happy Birthday.

Mr. Fish is buried in the Waukee Cemetary, Waukee, Dallas County, Iowa.  If you would like to pay your respects, you may find his grave marker through FindAGrave.com.