Dorothy M. Curtis, 88, of Donahue, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Genesis East Medical Center, Davenport. Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Burial followed in Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Donahue Fire Dept., who provided wonderful care for Robert and Dorothy. Condolences can be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.
Dorothy was born March 7, 1935, in Rock Island, to Willis & Julia (Engels) Ludtke. She graduated from Davenport Central High in 1953. She was very active with the reunion committee, acting as their historian. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert H. Curtis, on June 10, 1956, in Davenport at the First Christian Church, becoming a farmer’s wife and homemaker. He preceded her in death on June 5, 2016.
Dorothy had worked as a telephone operator with the former NW Bell, MCI, and St. Luke’s Hospital. With her husband, they owned several farms over the years, finally settling in the original Curtis Family Farm, which was honored as an Iowa Century farm, established in 1852.
Dorothy was involved in many things over the years in the community. This included her church, First Christian Church, Davenport, where she served as past president of the Christian Woman’s fellowship and founded Upper Room Coffee House at the church. She was on the board of Churches United, past president of Alpha Beta Sorority, North Scott Schools PTA, Brownie Sod House Questers.
Dorothy was an accomplished singer and was given the honor of singing in several choirs and for many weddings and funerals. She had the privilege to travel with her husband to Europe and visited 10 different countries. During her time with the North Scott PTA, she founded the grade school carnivals still held today. She played the main role of Marian the Librarian in the Donahue Centennial in 1971. More recently she enjoyed going to the casino with her husband. Dorothy loved time spent with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She always had fresh baked cookies, baking every day. She enjoyed feeding the birds, talking on the phone, and watching CNN and discussing politics.
Survivors include two daughters, Katherine Curtis, Danube, Minn., and Lori Curtis, Donahue; son, Karl (Shawn Marie) Curtis, Calamus; grandchildren, Shawn Manley, Davenport, Shad (Stacey) Manley, Donahue, Leila Wallace, Hillsboro, Ore., Emily (Eric) Willie, Bettendorf, Kyle (Misty) Maher, Litchfield, Minn., and Hannah Edwards, Miami, Fla.; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard and John Ludtke; sister, Linda Etheridge; and numerous other family members, including nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter Rebecca Sue; sisters Carol Briggs and Delores Matalik; brothers William Ludtke and Tom Brems.
We love you very much mom, tell dad and all our loved ones we miss them very much. Thank you for giving us your all to the end.
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