Charles D. Curtis

May 4, 1918 - Dec. 3, 2009

PALISADE -- Charles D. Curtis, 91, died Thursday, (Dec. 3, 2009), at Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home.

Charles was born on May 4, 1918, at Beatrice, Neb., to James Orlando and Anna Corneala (Dodson) Curtis. He graduated from Lewiston, Nebraska High School in 1936.

On Sept. 21, 1939, he was united in marriage to Mae C. Wrightsman at Beatrice. To this union four children were born. He entered the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1944, and served during World War II on the USS Mendocino in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 8, 1946. After his discharge, he returned to the Beatrice community. He then moved to Palisade where he owned and operated a grocery store. Later he drove a propane tank truck for the Coop before retiring.

Charles was a life-member of the Palisade American Legion Post No. 318 and Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 7028.

Preceding him in death were his parents, James and Anna Curtis; wife, Mae Curtis; brother, Carl Curtis; and two sisters, Lucille Dobbins and Norma Rosecrans.

Survivors include his daughter, Judy Rae Williams of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; three sons, James Allen Curtis of Palisade, Steven Charles Curtis and wife, Karron, of Floral City, Fla., and Dwain Lewis Curtis and wife, Donna, of Lincoln; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Charles also had a special "son who was not a son" Don Hansen and wife, Nanci, of Grant, Neb.

A memorial service will be held in the spring. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.