Curtis Andersen

Broken Bow, NE- Curtis Andersen, age 85 of Broken Bow, died Friday September 5, 2014 at the Jennie Melham Medical Center in Broken Bow. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday September 9, 2014 at 2:00 PM in the First Baptist Church in Broken Bow with Reverend Jurdan Counts officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held on Monday 8 AM to 8 PM with the family greeting friends 6 PM to 7 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church or the Prairie Pioneer Center. Curtis Wesley Andersen was born on November 20, 1928 to Andrew L. and Emma M. (McMullen) Andersen between Adams and Filley, NE. The family moved to Broken Bow on January 16, 1936 to live on his grandfather’s, Wesley McMullen’s farm. In March of 1942 the family moved to a farm one mile west of there. Curtis graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1946. On September 4, 1949 he was married to Vanetta Darlene Meyer at the Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow. They lived on a farm in the Cobert District, east of Broken Bow, where he worked for Guy and Clarence “Lefty” Armstrong. Three daughters, Barbara, Susan and Shirley were born during that time. Curtis continued to work on several farms until July of 1955 when the family moved to Broken Bow and Curtis found work for numerous people. Curtis started work for the City of Broken Bow, for the water department. On August 19, 1956, another daughter, Janet was born, and on March 16, 1959 their fifth daughter, Kerry was born. Curtis started working for the Broken Bow Diesel Generating Plant (“Power Plant” as we know it today). He worked there until he retired in 1996 at the age of 67 and working for over 40 years for the City of Broken Bow. Curtis joined the Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1974 and also became an EMT until he was 65 years old. Curtis and Vanetta were married for 571/2 years. They enjoyed camping with their daughters and made sure they took a family vacation every summer, usually to South Dakota, which was the family favorite. They visited Mt. Rushmore and camped in Custer State Park several years enjoying Stockade Lake and visiting the donkeys and buffalo, having the time of their lives. Many vacations included extra nieces and nephews and the girls friends. Curtis and Vanetta belonged to the Custer Campers in their later years and enjoyed visiting with other couples. They also took up square dancing and belonged to the Prairie Promenader’s Square Dancing Club. Curtis played pool and cards. He belonged to the Broken Bow Elk’s Lodge #1688. He was a firm believer in donating blood and donated over 10 gallons. Curtis was a member of the First Baptist Church in Broken Bow and was baptized on May 12, 1957. Curtis is survived by four daughters; Barbara (Robert) Deal of Bellefontaine, OH, Susan Bader of Broken Bow, Shirley (Dick) Kelley of Broken Bow, Kerry (Ray) Fink of Burwell, son in law Larry Breiner of Broken Bow, 14 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandsons, a sister Letha Brown of North Platte, a special niece Carol (Don) Lewis of Grand Island and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vanetta, a daughter Janet, sisters; Oma, Verna Raymond, Opal Kenoyer and Lois Doggett, and a brother Alfred “Chris” Andersen