A few of years ago my parents visited the historical office for Big Timber, Sweet Grass, Montana. My grandmother Ada Curtis (my Dad's mother), was born at Big Timber and lived there during her childhood and some of her early youth. The historical office has a collection of newspaper clippings for the early residents of the town that included many of the extended Curtis family members. Friend William Curtis and Ada Curtis were cousins. Friend grew up in the same area, but eventually moved to Washington with his family. Even though he died and was buried in Washington, the Sweet Grass historical office had two obituaries on file for him. I don't know the name of the newspaper the obituaries were published in, but with so many newspapers going online, I hope it won't be too hard to find out.
First Obituary - Last Rites Held for Friend W. Curtis
Funeral services for Friend William Curtis, 66, were conducted from the Einan's Deseret Memorial Chapel in Richland, Wash., April 22, at 2 p.m., under the direction of Richland, Wash., third ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bishop Harold Derricott officiated.
Pallbearers were Frank Standefer, L. P. Conner, N. E. O'Connor, R. E. House, Ray Culver and R. B. Turnipseed. Interment was in the Richland cemetery.
Mr. Curtis, who retired about a year ago as a maintenance worker for General Electric at Richland, died of a stroke in Kadlec Methodist hospital in Richland April 20. He had been ill with a heart condition for the past year.
Mr. Curtis was born in Preston, Idaho, April 19, 1890. He came to Sweet Grass county with his parents at an early age and had resided here until moving to Richland about 13 years ago.
Surviving include his widow: four sons, Benjamin W., Donald K.; Dean H. and Leo C. Curtis, all of Richland; two daughters, Mrs. Arthur (Jene) Roppe of Kennewick, Wash., and Mrs. Dwight (Maribel) Manning of Richland; a sister Mrs. Madge Otis of Madera, Calif., and 18 grandchildren.
Second Obituary - Friend Curtis Dies in Washington
Dies in Washington
Relatives here have been notified of the death of Friend Curtis at Richland, Wash., Saturday. Cause of death was not given but it is known that he had been ill for some time. Burial was at Richland. The deceased is well known here having lived in this community most of his life until moving to Washington a number of years ago.
Source: The historical society that my parents visited and obtained copies of both obituaries was the
Crazy Mountain Museum. The museum is located south of Big Timber on Cemetery Road.
