Gene A. Curtis, 61, of Sumner, died suddenly on Sunday, July 5, 2015, while camping with his family near Nashua.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 8th at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday.
Gene Allen, son of Manuel and Lucille Fravel Curtis, was born August 11, 1953, at Cresco, Iowa. He received his education in the Traer and Cresco Public Schools, and graduated in 1973 from Cresco High School. On June 24, 1978, Gene was united in marriage with Debra Tiedt at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. Gene worked for a year after high school graduation at a locker in Lime Springs, and just completed his 41st year with Croell Redi-mix in Sumner. In addition to the work at Croell’s, Gene helped clear the school parking lots and the city streets of snow during the winter. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson, camping, and playing in poker tournaments in Las Vegas.
In addition to his wife, Deb of Sumner, he is survived by two daughters, Wendy Curtis-Garcia and her husband, Brandon of Phoenix, Arizona and Becky Schrage and her husband, Justin of Allison, Iowa; three grandchildren, Amira Garcia and Gavin and Griffin Schrage; one brother, Raymond (Mary) Curtis of Mabel, Minnesota; and two sisters, Doreen (Mike) Sattler of Sumner and Glenda (Joe) Lacey of Cresco.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Dale.
