Kelly Allen Curtis, son of Dean (Joe) Lyle and Geraldine Louise (Mueller) Curtis, was born March 6, 1953 in Creston, IA. He died September 14, 2015 at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE at the age of 62 years, 6 months, and 8 days.

Kelly was baptized on May 3, 1953 and confirmed March 19, 1967 at St. John's United Church of Christ. Kelly graduated from Griswold High School with the class of 1971. On March 19, 1972 he was united in marriage to Diane Lu Rabe at St. John's United Church of Christ. They were blessed with the birth of two children, Jared Allen and Lindy Brooke. On April 6, 1972 Kelly entered the United States Army where he attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and advanced training at the Army Signal Corps in Augusta, GA, before being stationed in Germany and Arizona. He was honorably discharged on April 5, 1975 at the rank of Sergeant. Kelly worked in Eagle Butte, SD for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority and transferred to Columbus Junction, IA where he was employed by Continental Telephone Company. In 1977, he and Diane moved to Schleswig, IA where he retired as the local COE Telephone Technician in 2013. Kelly and Diane moved to Griswold and Kelly began working for Griswold CO OP Telephone Company.

While in Schleswig, Kelly was a member of the United Church of Christ, a volunteer with the fire department, had served as a past commander of the Schleswig Legion Post #645, and was a Community Chest member for 24 years, a Boy Scout leader, and a member of Ben Hur Masonic Lodge #332 A.F. & A.M. After moving to Griswold, Kelly became a member of Griswold Legion Post #508 and Cass Lodge #412 A.F. & A.M. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, reading, and horses. What he is most remembered for is his legendary quick wit, being a proud "Bubba" of his grandchildren, and seen riding around town with his dog Keta riding in the front seat.

Kelly is preceded in death by his father Joe; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Maurice and Mary Rabe; and his brother-in-law Carl Nielsen.

He is survived by his wife Diane of Griswold, IA; his children, Jared Curtis of Cedar Rapids, IA and Lindy Curtis of Athens, GA; his granddaughter Hunter Allyn Curtis; his grandson Scout Kellan Curtis; his mother Geraldine Curtis of Griswold, IA; his sisters Shelly McClain and husband Dan of Elliott, IA and Kay Lary and husband Craig of Griswold, IA; and his brother Jay Curtis of Griswold, IA. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the St. John's United Church of Christ south of Lyman. A Masonic service will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold Friday evening at 5:00 PM. Visitation with the family will follow the Masonic service until 7:30 PM. Interment will be in the St. John's Cemetery. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is in charge of arrangements.