Willa Mae Curlee

Willa Mae Curlee age 91 of Broken Bow, NE passed away January 14, 2021 at the Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow, NE after a brief illness. She was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on July 16, 1929 to W.A. (Bill) and Ruby (Sharp) Chapin.

Willa Mae grew up in Vinita, Oklahoma after the family moved there in 1930. She married Jack Laverne Baker in 1947. They moved to Broken Bow, Nebraska that same year. In 1949 a daughter, Sherry was born to this union. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1967.

Willa Mae and Jo Dan Curlee were married in 1969. Since he was in the Coast Guard, they spent the next five years living in Seattle, Washington, Astoria, Oregon, and Alameda, California, upon his discharge from service, they returned to Broken Bow.

Willa Mae was best known for her “Acupressure and Body Alignment” business. She retired from that at age 83.

She loved doing cross stitch pictures and crochet. Many have handmade gifts that she gave them.

She was preceded in death by parents W.A. (Bill) and Ruby Chapin.

She is survived by husband Jo Dan, daughter Sherry Brestel both of Broken Bow, and grandson Tim (Melissa) Brestel of Omaha.

Memorials suggested to Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center or Evangelical Free Church of Broken Bow.

Memorial service will be held Monday, January 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Evangelical Free Church in Broken Bow, NE with Pastor Tim Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Evangelical Free Church in Broken Bow, NE. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book for words of encouragement or remembrance may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com