Obituary of Curtis Espey

Curtis Oliver Espey, the son of Adolph and Serina (Vervik) Espey, was born on November 28, 1918 in Thor, Iowa. He spent his childhood in the Alton and Royal, Iowa areas. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Kruckenberg in Hartley, Iowa on July 7, 1940. They farmed near Hartley and Ocheyedan, Iowa. Together, they enjoyed fishing, camping and dancing. They volunteered at Cutty’s Resort in Okoboji, Iowa for a number of years. They had been married for 49 years when Dorothy passed away suddenly on September 30, 1989. On March 31, 1995, Curtis married Lorene “Rene” Youde in Sutherland, Iowa. They were blessed with fifteen years of companionship and good times. They were members of the TMTM dance club and the Leisure Living camping club. Curtis was a member of the Hartley United Methodist Church, and attended the Sutherland United Methodist Church. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was always there to help others and keep those around him laughing with his unique sense of humor. He passed away on July 5, 2010, at the Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital in Primghar, Iowa at the age of 91. Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Dorothy; three sons, Oliver, Dean and Ronald; one granddaughter, Ronda Espey; six brothers, Elmer, Theodore, Kenneth, Peter, Alfred and Oscar; a special brother-in-law, Bud Kruckenberg; Mike Youde and David Youde. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rene; his children, Becky Loetscher and her husband, Tony Velasquez of Westminister, Colorado, Betty Hatfield and her husband, Doug of Kearney, Nebraska, Larry and his wife, Brenda of Hartley, and his daughter-in-law, Marge Espey of Hartley; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Kruckenberg of Embarrass, Minnesota, and one brother, Andrew Espey and his wife, Lois of Jackson, Minnesota; Rene’s sons, Bob, Jerry, Dennis and Jack Youde and families; and many other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life Curtis Oliver Espey Born ~ November 28, 1918 Died ~ July 5, 2010 Age ~ 91 years 7 months 7 days Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 9, 2010 United Methodist Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Steve Campbell David Orthmann Organist ~ Deb Bleeker Congregational Singing “How Great Thou Art” #77 “Hymn of Promise” #707 Special Music “Angels Among Us” Pallbearers Kevin Espey Aaron Espey Brandon Espey Paul Espey Dan Reeker Joah Bakker Ushers Ron Sterk Ken Orthmann Interment Harrison Township Cemetery May City, Iowa