Margery Fern Curtiss

Margery Fern Curtiss of Greeley peacefully transitioned to the next realm on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at the age of 93 after a brief stay in the hospital.

Formerly of western Nebraska, she had been a resident of Greeley for 30 years, most recently living at The Bridge Assisted Living of Greeley.

On March 9, 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression, Jason and Ferne (Oman) Gorst delightedly welcomed their long-awaited and only child, Margery, in Worland, WY. The family moved to a farm near Bridgeport, NE in 1935, where Marge enjoyed a happy childhood among animals and nature. Marge attended a rural one-room school in Morrill County, NE from kindergarten through eighth grade, and graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1948. She enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE, and graduated with the class of 1952, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities. Marge's innate musical talent, nurtured by years of piano lessons beginning at age 7, was utilized well in college, where she was a frequent accompanist to ensembles and soloists.

During trips to visit family members in Clarkston, WA, Marge became acquainted with Fred Philip Curtiss, a good friend of her first cousin. They eventually decided they'd make a good match, so on April 12, 1953, Marge and Phil were married in Bridgeport, NE. The couple began their married life engaged in wheat farming near Dalton, NE (Cheyenne County) from 1954-67. During this time, they welcomed two children to their family, Jean M. (now Mrs. Daniel Bruns of Greeley) and Jay L. Curtiss. Marge and Phil were indeed a good match, and they celebrated 58 years of a loving and fruitful marriage before Phil passed in 2011.

Following several lean years on the farm, Phil and Marge made the bold decision to go back to school. Thus, from 1964-67, the family lived in Chadron, NE during the school terms, where Phil and Marge attended classes at Chadron State College. As a result, Phil received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and Marge obtained a teaching certificate, which opened the door to new opportunities for both. In 1967, the family moved to Sidney, NE, where Marge began a career in education, first teaching 7th- and 8th-grade English, and later serving as a school librarian in the elementary schools. In 1974, she became employed by Educational Service Unit No. 14 as an educational media specialist. In 1978, she inaugurated a Teacher Center (a professional development center for the teachers of four counties in the Nebraska Panhandle).

In her 50s, Marge pursued graduate studies, and in 1986, she received a Master of Science degree in school administration from Kearney State College in Nebraska. She continued her work with ESU No.14 until her retirement in 1994. Soon thereafter, Marge and Phil decided in their retirement to move to Greeley to enjoy more time with their grandson and his parents and to be more available as grandparents. A bonus was moving into a brand new house, which Marge had the pleasure of decorating. They came to call Greeley home and were always grateful for the many enriching relationships and fulfilling opportunities that they found there. Even as Colorado residents, Marge and Phil continued to actively maintain ties to Nebraska and farming throughout their lives.

From her early childhood on, church was central in Marge's life, and she found a particular connection to God through church worship and music. Carrying on the tradition of her musical family, Marge gladly shared her own abundant musical gifts as a church organist, pianist, accompanist, choir director, and singer for over 80 years, in countless performances of music that brought beauty and joy to many people. Her church work also included serving as a lay leader on many church governing boards, both locally and regionally. Marge's beloved church home for nearly 30 years has been First Congregational Church of Greeley.

Marge's other major community interest, to which she committed much time and energy, was libraries. In Nebraska, she served on boards of a local library and a regional library, the NE State Library Board, and as an officer of the NE Library Commission Board (by governor's appointment). After moving to Greeley, she served two 5-year terms on the Weld Library District Board of Trustees (now High Plains Library District Board), including one term as President. During her tenure, it became clear that an additional library was needed in Greeley, which brought with it the challenge of persuading voters to approve a property tax increase – a totally new and unexpected experience for Marge! It's due in no small part to Marge's advocacy, leadership, and persistence that the mill levy increase was eventually approved and the Farr Regional Library came to be built in Greeley. She presided over its grand opening in 2002.

On the long list of things that enriched her life, Marge would certainly include: Extensive travel within the U.S. and abroad for both business and pleasure, with trips to Alaska, Canada, China, France, England, and Scotland being highlights. Her 73-year membership in the PEO Sisterhood, most recently in Chapter EC in Greeley. Spending literally thousands of hours in the Hope Warm Water Pool – the place of friends, fun, and exercise she found essential to her well-being and thus avidly promoted – from its opening in 1997 until its closing in 2023. The opportunity to experience so many rich musical performances in Greeley, especially as a long-time season ticket holder of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. The gratification of reading and learning, volunteerism and civic engagement, writing (including her autobiography), sewing, and keeping in touch with her friends and extended family. Most importantly, the immense joy of loving and being loved by her family, and every opportunity they were given to spend quality time together.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Phil Curtiss. Remembering her with love and gratitude are her daughter Jean Bruns (Daniel) of Greeley, CO, son Jay Curtiss (Jan) of Buchanan, NY, grandchildren James Curtiss of Lexington Park, MD, Amanda Maguire (Anthony) of Cortlandt Manor, NY, and Alex Bruns of Greeley, and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Marge's life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church, Greeley. (Due to construction, please park on the east side across from the hospital and follow the "Worship Entrance" signs. Alternatively, a livestream and recording of the service will be available at youtube.com/live/ByVS19zDGd4.) Private family inurnment will precede the service. Allnutt Funeral Service is overseeing arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to any of these recipients which Marge valued and found meaningful: First Congregational Church of Greeley music ministries, online at https://tinyurl.com/35see5m6 or by mail (2101 16th Street, Greeley, CO 80631). The High Plains Library District Friends & Foundation, online at https://www.hpldfriendsandfoundation.org/donate. And, The P.E.O. Foundation, designate: Colorado Chapter EC Scholarship on Education, by mail (P.E.O. Executive Office, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312).