Curtis Wentz |
| Posted 2009-05-28 by Fountain Hills Times |
| Curtis Wentz, 72, formerly of Fountain Hills, died in the arms of his wife on Nov. 16, 2007 at their home in Covina, Calif. Curtis and Anne were residents of Fountain Hills for 31 years before moving to California in 2005. Curtis was born on Dec. 23, 1934 at home in Napoleon, N.D. He was the 12th of 13 children born to John J. and Mary (Schnaidt) Wentz, both Germans from Odessa, Russia. As a result of childhood rheumatic fever, he was very ill and had to miss a lot of school, but he persevered and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1954. He helped raise sheep and milked cows at his family farm in North Dakota before participating in the family businesses of a Chevrolet car dealership, a creamery, and an appliance store in Napoleon. He married the love of his life, Anne Loukota Ternes, on Aug. 11, 1972 and stepped into the role of becoming the father to six teenagers. In 1974, they moved to Fountain Hills and built their home on La Jara Drive. They lived several other places in town before settling in a home they built on Blue Jay Drive. Curtis managed a Circle K store in Scottsdale, and then went on to become a realtor specializing in land sales. He loved to play basketball, bowl, read, and listen to talk radio. He had two major heart surgeries (in 1982 and 1992) to repair aneurisms and replace his aortic valve (twice). In 2005, Curtis and Anne moved to Covina, Calif. to be closer to some of their children and grandchildren. He was a gentle, quiet man, with a big heart and a sweet sense of humor. He loved his family with courage, tenderness, and compassion. He was never too busy to listen, and he profoundly touched the hearts of many. Curtis had been tenderly cared for by his wife and family this past year as he battled complications of Parkinson’s disease and congestive heart failure. Curtis is survived by his loving wife Anne Wentz (Covina, CA); by his 6 children Thomas (Ruth) Ternes of Eden Valley, Minn.; Tim (Lee) Ternes of Aztec, N.M., John (Gloria) Ternes of Flora Vista, N.M., Jerry (Linda) Ternes of Fountain Valley, Calif., Constance (Ritch) Wells of La Canada, Calif., and Colleen (Chris) Falletta of Covina, Calif.; by his three sisters: Mabel Kirschenmann of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ruth Kirschenmann of Bismarck, N.D.; and Charlene (Jerry) Cram of Crystal Lake, Ill.; by his two brothers: Calvin Wentz of Adams, Neb.; and Dale Wentz of McKenzie, N.D.; by 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and tons of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Mary (Schnaidt) Wentz; by three sisters Edna Rudolf, Helen Wellan, Alice Siewert; and by four brothers: John, Carl, Rayburn, and James Wentz. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2007 at the Oakdale Mortuary Chapel in Glendora, Calif., and he will be laid to rest at the Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, Calif. Fountain Hills Times November 21, 2007. |
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