Carl Emil Curtis, 79

Carl Emil Curtis was born to Jon E. and Ingeborg (Gausen) Curtis on October 19, 1925 at Baudette, Minnesota. He grew up in Baudette, was baptized on March 30, 1926 by Rev. Jacobson and confirmed by Rev. Aasen on April 2, 1939 both at First Lutheran. He graduated from Baudette High School in 1943. In January 1944, he joined the United States Army and served during World War II in Europe where he reached the rank of Sergeant. After his discharge in 1946 he returned home and enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University) at Fargo, North Dakota. Carl was married to Helen Jane Brown in Baudette on September 27, 1947. he graduated from NDAC with an ROTC commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1950. In October of 1950 he was recalled into the Army, reporting to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, training troops. In July of 1951 he attended Officer Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia, before reporting to Japan for more training. He served in combat in the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant, and received the purple heart for combat wounds on October 16, 1951. After his honorable discharge in 1952 he returned to Baudette to operate the Curtis Drug Store which he had purchased from his father.
Carl was very active in the community over the years. He was a life member of American Legion Post 217 and served as Commander for one year, District 6 Vice-Commander for two terms, and was a member and commander of the Post’s Ceremonial Squad for 50 years. Carl was also a life member of the Baudette V.F.W. Post 723 and the Baudette Moose Lodge. He chaired the March of Dimes for 25 years and was a Firearms Safety Instructor for 25 years. He served as a member of the Baudette School Board, and also served four years on the City Council during the period when the city streets were paved and the City Hospital was sold to what is now Catholic Hospitals, Inc. Carl was very active in the First Lutheran Church and served as Church President, Stewardship Chairman, and lay preacher when asked. He also could be counted on to serve as a Toastmaster-Speaker in the community which he did countless times. He was an avid deer hunter, and a 50-year charter member of the Pine Grove Deer Camp. In 1955 he bagged a rare albino deer which became the symbol of the Curtis Rexall Drug Store and the background for one of the last remaining drug store soda fountains in northern Minnesota. Carl enjoyed organizing many charitable snowmobile runs, and for ten years participated in the Escape boat cruises on Lake of the Woods.
After 71 years of family ownership, Carl and Helen sold the Curtis Drug Store in 1989 to Stuart Noble of Baudette. Carl continued to fill in behind the prescription counter after his retirement. Being a lifelong resident of Baudette, he enjoyed recounting stories of characters and events from the past. They were able to spend 12 winters in New Braunfels, Texas, enjoying the company of many new friends. Carl had been in failing health for some time and passed away surrounded by his loving family at home while under hospice and home health care on Sunday, July 24, 2005. He was 79 years, 9 months and 5 days of age at the time of his death.
In addition to Helen, his wife of nearly 58 years, Carl is survived by one son, John (Ann) Curtis of Chanhassen, MN, four daughters, Jane (Jerry) Feigum of Barnsville, MN, Cathy (Chris) Dunshee and Beckie (Douglas) Campbell of Bemidji, MN, Christy (Dean) Armstrong of Cambridge, MN, and one sister, Verna Peck of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters (May Gunderson, Esther Cetrski, and Alice Curtis), and a grandson Travis Amrine.
Carl was buried in the Veterans Park at Elm Park Cemetery at Baudette.
Services: First Lutheran Church, Baudette MN Saturday, July 30, 2005, 4 p.m. with Rev. Harald Bringsjord and Rev. Shawn Brandon officiating. Vocalists, Rev. Shawn Brandon, Rev Harald Bringsjord, Brian Potts. Organist, Sherry Ausmus.
Honorary Pallbearers: David Berg, Kenny Larson, Al Svare, John Ceterski, Bill Brink, Cliff Noble, Gary Noble, Terry Noble, Stuart Noble, Charles Noble, The Baudette American Legion - V.F.W. Ceremonial Squad, and all of Carls, many friends and family.
Military Honors: The Baudette American Legion - V.F.W. Ceremonial Squad.
Helgeson Funeral Home - Baudette, Minnesota.