Raymond Leo Curtis

Raymond “Ray” L. Curtis, 75 of Grand Island, NE died Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at CHI Health, St. Francis in Grand Island, NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Hazard, NE. Father Richard Piontkowski will celebrate the mass. Masks or face coverings are recommended. Burial will follow at the Litchfield Cemetery in Litchfield, NE with military honors provided by the Litchfield American Legion Post #293. A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with visitation to follow till 10:30. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or charitable organization of donor’s choice. You can view the Rosary and Mass on the Higgins Funeral Home Facebook page. The direct link is http://facebook.com/Higgins-Funeral-Home-111005270563508 .

Raymond “Ray” Leo Curtis was born November 30, 1945 on the family farm west of Grand Island, NE to Lloyd and Emma Milady (Spilinek) Curtis. He grew up in Grand Island and attended St. Mary’s Grade School and the Central Catholic High School both in Grand Island. He went on to attend and graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. On August 5, 1971 Ray entered the United States Navy where he served on the Hancock Aircraft Carrier during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged, April 4, 1975. Ray married Connie Siegel on June 29, 1974 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Hazard, NE. Throughout his lifetime Ray enjoyed doing farm work. He worked at Chief Industry in Grand Island; was a school teacher in Lodgepole, NE; was a driver for Coors Brewery in Grand Island and lastly was a driver for UPS in Grand Island. Ray enjoyed going to auctions and purchasing Red Wing crocks and other collectibles and spending time with his family.

Ray is survived by his brother, Anton “Tony” Curtis of Grand Island, NE; sisters, Jean Waggoner of Central City, NE and Joyce (Mike) Rice of St. Libory, NE, brother-in-law Ronnie (Kathy) Siegel of Litchfield, NE; sister-in-law, Joyce Birchard of Central City, NE, good friend Loren Wojtalewicz of Grand Island, NE; Navy friends, John and Brenda Cascio of Texas and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie Curtis; sister, Phyllis Butters; brothers-in-law, Matt Butters and Dennis Waggoner; sister-in-law, Ann Curtis.