Curtis Smith

Curtis L. Smith 82, of Fargo, ND, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Bethany Homes, Fargo. Curt Smith was born September 4, 1926, at Steele, North Dakota, son of Clarence and Helen (Bunes) Smith. He grew up on the family farm near Steele, attended Steele High School where he enjoyed playing football for the Pirates. He graduated in 1944 and at seventeen went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. When his age was discovered, he was sent home until his eighteenth birthday. He started his career at the phone company as a lineman. He was promoted to manager at Beach, North Dakota. Curt married Kathryn “Coty” Keniston September 4, 1948, in Dickinson, North Dakota. After a year at Beach, he was transferred to Riverdale, where they lived until he was transferred to Mandan as a Forman. In 1956, he was transferred to Fargo, where he worked various jobs eventually becoming Building Manager. He retired from US West in 1987, with over forty-two years of service. Curt enjoyed traveling in their motor home to Arizona during the winter months. Never one to sit still for any length of time, he was always available to help family or friends with home improvement projects. Curt is survived by his wife, Coty, Fargo, ND; his daughter, Sandy (Roger) Peterson, Fargo, ND; and his son, Scott A. (Teresa) Smith, Gila Bend, AZ; four sisters, Doris Bast, Moorhead, MN; Iris Brousseau, Berthoud, CO; Verla (Glen) DeKrey, Steele, ND; and Alyce Dougherty, Steele, ND; and his sister-in-law, Wanda Smith, Minot, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his two brothers, Vernon and Robert. Sunday, March 22, there will be visitation at Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Funeral Service: Monday, March 23, 2009, at 2:00 PM, at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo, ND, with visitation one hour before the service. Entombment: Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral Columbarium.