Bertha Curtis

CURTIS, NELSON

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/14/2023 at 09:22:04

The Bayard News April 5, 1973

Death came to Mrs. Austin (Bertha) Curtis early Tuesday morning in the Guthrie County hospital. She had entered earlier that morning following an apparent heart attack at the Bayard Nursing Home where she had been a resident for a few months.
Prior to the time of her death, Mrs. Curtis had had a heart attack and had been confined to the hospital and the nursing home.
Final rites were scheduled at 11 am today at the United Methodist Church in Bayard. The pastor, Rev A Keith Hauser, was scheduled to officiate and Lula Garnes well be the organist and will accompany Mrs. I R Hughes and Mrs. Ralph Starling as they sing.
The casket will be carried by I R Hughes, C F Greenfield, Leonard Siedhoff, Joe Ewing, Everett Cornish and Winfred Barrett. Interment is to be in the Highland cemetery.
Born Bertha Florence Guinn in Perry June 24, 1893, Mrs. Curtis moved to Bayard at an early age and was graduated from the Bayard high school with the class of 1913. Following that she spent two years at the University of Northern Iowa where she received a teaching certificate. She taught in the Bayard schools and in nearby schools for several years.
May 15, 1917 Miss Guinn married Austin Curtis of Bayard. They were parents of Ruie Louise Nelson, who is deceased, and James A Curtis of Mercer Island, Washington.
During her nearly 80 years of life, Mrs. Curtis was an active part of the community. She was a member of the Bayard United Methodist Church and served as president of the Women's Society for Christian Service. Also, she taught the Helping Hand Sunday school class.
Mrs. Curtis was a past president of the Bayard Woman's Club and was an honorary member at the time of her death. She belonged to the Eastern Star and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Except for ten years between 1942 and 1952 when the Curtis family lived in Sacramento, Calif, Bertha has been a resident of Bayard practically all of her life.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her son, James, and four grandchildren. The are David and Rachel Curtis of Mercer Island and Craig and Mary Jane Nelson of Coon Rapids. Also, her son-in-law, Paul Nelson of Coon Rapids survives, as well as many other relatives and friends.