Mrs. Bessie Rose Hansell Curtis

Bessie Rose Hansell Curtis, age 81, of Terre Haute, passed away May 28, 2011, in Union Hospital. Born Jan. 6, 1930, in East Glenn, Ind., she was the daughter of Marvin Eugene Hansell and Pearl (Grafton) Hansell.

Bessie was a 1947 graduate of Glenn High School. She had worked for 30 years as a clerk for the Department of Motor Vehicles. She also was a Republican Precinct Committeeman for many years. She loved crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and collecting elephants.

Bessie was preceded by her parents; husband, Richard Curtis; infant daughter Janet Leigh Curtis; and a brother, Arvard Hansell. Survivors include two sisters, Mary Ellen Franks, Mooresville, and Nancy Power, Farmersburg; three daughters, Toni Ann Finkbeiner, Terre Haute, Ruth Elaine Curtis, Anchorage, Alaska, and Nancy Susan House and husband Todd, Hartland, Wis.; a son, Ronald Eugene Curtis and wife Rebecca, Terre Haute; grandchildren, Aaron Curtis and wife Jessica, Denver, William Hout and wife Stephanie, Kennewick, Wash., Candace Hilst and husband Brian, Anchorage, Crystal Hout, Terre Haute, Carl David Finkbeiner III and wife Desiree, Bentonville, Ark., and Lesley Bricker and husband Clarence, Terre Haute; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home, 7500 N. Clinton St. Services are Thursday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Kyle Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crisis Pregnancy Center, 1527 Poplar St., Terre Haute, IN 47807. Online condolences can also be made at:

www.roselawnfuneralhome.net