Lila Curtis
Lila A. Curtis, 87, of Great Falls, Mont., died Saturday at a local hospital from natural causes.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with burial following at Highland Cemetery.
The daughter of Norwegian immigrant parents, Lila was born April 23, 1923, to Ludvik and Anne Mork on the family homestead southeast of Arnegard, N.D., where she was raised. She attended Cherry School, a one-room schoolhouse, through the eighth grade, and then boarded with friends and relatives in Watford City, N.D., to attend Watford City High School, graduating in 1941.
After one year at home on the family farm, she moved to Great Falls, where she attended the Columbus School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1944. It was during that time that she met John “Jack” Curtis, whom she married on Nov. 3, 1945.
The couple initially lived in Dutton, but spent several years on the Curtis family homestead west of Brady. They moved back to Dutton in 1952, where the family operated Curtis Auto and Implement Company. In 1961, the family made its permanent move to Great Falls, continuing to operate the Brady farm through 1965.
Lila will be remembered for her faithfulness, her beautiful hand quilting for which she won numerous ribbons at the State Fair, and her smile. Her other favorite activities were fellowship meetings, lunch with friends, reading, music, gardening and family.
She is survived by four children: Ken (Marilyn) Curtis of Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii; Jeanine (Burnell) Kennedy of Lolo, Mont.; John (Sylvia) Curtis of Williston, N.D.; and Janice (Dan) Brown of Great Falls. She is also survived by a sister, Mildred “Billie” (Alvin) Simonson of Portland, Ore. She has nine grandchildren; John Kennedy, Chad Curtis, Kristy Kennedy Dicomitis, Tara Curtis Haberlock, Margaret Curtis Howe, Michelle Curtis Kemnitz, Ryan Brown, Brenda Curtis Giamo, and Larissa Brown, along with seven great grandchildren.
Lila was preceded in death by her husband in 1988, her parents, an infant brother, Peder; three sisters Marwyll Mork, Solveig “Sally” Beaudoin, and Evelyn Martin, and a brother, John “Arnold” Mork.
The family appreciates the staff and management of both the Golden Eagle Plaza and Bee Hive Assisted Living Home for their care and concern over the past three years.
Memorials in her name are suggested to Peace Hospice of Montana. Condolences to the family can be left at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com