Catherine Marie Curtis

Catherine Marie Prickett Curtis passed away peacefully on 11 October 2023. She was born 1 September 1949 to Cecil Harmon and Nettie Frances Christie Prickett in Tate Township, Ohio.

She grew up on a rural farm outside Felicity, Ohio. After graduating from Felicity High School, she began working for the IRS in Covington, Kentucky. While working there, she decided to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was called to serve in the Pennsylvania Mission.

Near the end of her mission, Cathy’s father passed away. Her mission president, President George M Baker, allowed her to go home for the funeral. He also informed her that she had served honorably and did not need to return. Cathy responded, “I was called by The Lord for 18 months, and I will serve 18 months.”

After her mission, she moved to Logan, Utah. While working for Everton Publishing Company, she reconnected with a missionary she met on her mission, Thayne Curtis, and after their courtship, they were married in the Logan Temple on 12 Jan 1973. They both continued to live and work in Logan, Utah.

It was during this time they decided to join the United States Air Force, and their first child Lance was born in Georgetown, Ohio, while Thayne was in training. As Thayne’s training continued, they moved to San Antonio, Texas. After Thayne’s training they moved to Spokane, Washington, where their second son Jason was born.

While Thayne served a year in Korea, Cathy and the boys moved back to Ohio and lived with her mother. That was the first of many summers Lance and Jason spent on Grandma Prickett’s farm. And yes, Cathy loved those summers.

After Thayne returned from Korea, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Cathy decided to return to work and started working with accounting departments for base services. She continued to work after moving to Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was here, however, that Cathy decided to stop working outside the home and become a full-time homemaker.

After moving to Mountain Home, Idaho, their third child Katelyn was born. It was here that Thayne changed career fields in the Air Force, and they moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where they finished their 20 years of Air Force service.

After they retired from Air Force active service, they moved to Kuna, Idaho, and eventually to Meridian, Idaho. Cathy loved her neighbors and neighborhood in Meridian. It gave her so many blessings, and she felt like she could help so many others.

Cathy’s entire life was spent in service, whether as a young girl helping her dad working on the farm, later, serving a mission, being an Air Force wife, or serving in so many callings in the Church. Her favorite calling was teaching older primary children. Her heart was so soft for them; she went out of her way so many times to do something special for them to let them know they were loved not only by their Heavenly Father but also by her.

In the last few years, dementia took over Cathy’s mind. She struggled so hard as she knew "there was something wrong." Yet even near the end, there were times she would get that "glint" in her eye and tease. Those were special tender mercies for her family. Her love for her grandchildren just radiated from her. One grandchild, Layne, kept asking, "Can I go have dinner with Grandma?"

Cathy is survived by her husband Thayne R Curtis; children Lance R Curtis, Jason P & Tammy Curtis, and Katelyn M Rapacon; grandchildren Jada K Rapacon, Sophia A Curtis, Layne M Rapacon, Adam O Curtis, and Olivia G Rapacon. She is also survived by her brothers Dave E Prickett and Walter “Butch” V Prickett.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Cecil H & Nettie F Christie Prickett; brothers James H Prickett, Kenneth W Prickett, Earl W Prickett; and sisters Edith R Whisner and Mary R Prickett.

Service is scheduled for Friday, 10/20/23 and begins at 11:00 am at Eckersell Funeral Home, 101 W Main Street
Rigby, ID 83442. A viewing/visitation is scheduled from 10:00 am to 10:45 am, followed by family prayer. Interment will be at the Ucon Cemetery.