Rose Elvena Curless

June 25, 1937 to September 15, 2025

Born to Otis Wiggins and Celia (Davis) Wiggins in Broadwater, Nebraska, Died in Kimball

Nebraska.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike Curless and sons Vade Curless (23),

Scott, and Eric (infants) Curless. Leaves behind her daughters Marcy Nameth, Rena Norvell, Velma (Jason) England and son Brandon (Cheri) Curless, grandchildren Abby (Jonathan) Lias, Mark Norvell, Garrett (Taylor) Norvell, Joshua Nameth, Stephen (Emily) Nameth, Kaelin Norvell, Richard Nameth, Rhonan Norvell, David Nameth, Emily England, and 8 great grandchildren.

-The Early Years-

Rose was born in Broadwater, Nebraska. Her family survived the dust bowl on a farm. She

learned to play piano, was active in 4H baking pies and sewing. She also enjoyed riding her

horse Calico. She helped her daddy to haul cream down to the train station from the cows

on the farm; the highlight was getting ice cream after the delivery.

-College years-

Rose attended University of Nebraska at Lincoln for two years before she transferred to

Colorado A&M (CSU) where she studied Occupational Therapy; this is where Rose met

Mike. They met January 8th, 1958, on a blind date. They both enjoyed learning to ski at

Hidden Valley.

-Married-

Mike and Rose were married in Broadwater, Nebraska on September 7th, 1958, after Rose

returned from an internship in Portland, Oregon.

They both graduated in 1959 and then returned to the family farm in Illinois

-The Farm in Illinois-

Mike and Rose farmed with Mike's dad, Don on the family farm in Illinois Marcy was born in 1959, Rena was born in 1961, Vade was born in 1963 and died in 1986. Scott was born May 5, 1967, and died later that year. Rose and Mike were in a bowling league with their friends. Grandpa Don had a boat & they enjoyed water skiing and family get-togethers on the Mississippi River.

-Colorado-

In 1967, Mike and Rose returned to Colorado, where Mike began his career in construction.

Eric was born September 5, 1969, and died as an infant Velma was born in 1971 Brandon was born in 1976

Rose enjoyed raising her family and tending her garden. She was passionate about nutrition

and natural medicine, long before it was cool.

-Oregon-

In 1995, Rose and Mike moved to Halfway, Oregon to work on a bison ranch and the Clear

Creek bed and breakfast. They both enjoyed working with the buffalo and showing guests the area, they both loved being closer to the land and all the great fruits and berries the area offered. They enjoyed the local high desert, and nearby Hells Canyon. Rose once described their exit as "the job outgrew them".

-Nebraska-

In 1998 Mike and Rose moved to Kimball, Nebraska, to help take care of her mother who

lived in Gering, Nebraska. They both enjoyed square dancing and loved any chance to go dancing together. They participated for years until covid shut down the groups. In January, 2022, Mike suffered a stroke; while he worked hard at recovery, he never regained his original level of activity. He suffered another more severe stroke and passed

away in December 2023. Rose lived independently after Mike's death and had an exciting year in 2025. She travelled to Lincoln for her sister Joy's 90th birthday celebration with extended family. And then to Colorado to celebrate her own birthday with immediate family. Her peach tree, that she had planted from a pit, and nurtured for years, finally bore fruit this year, and was one of the final foods that she savored. A Celebration of Life will be held later. Friends may visit www.cantrelllfh.com to view Rose's Tribute Wall and share condolences and stories with the family.