Curtis E. Leen

Curtis E. Leen, New Effington, SD, died Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Rosholt Care Center, Rosholt, SD.     Funeral services were Tuesday, July 26, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with Rev. Harold Watrous officiating. Music was provided by organist Debra Bredvik.     Burial was in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington. Honorary urn bearers were the Leen and Struck cousins. Active urn bearers were Curt's grandsons, Joel and Adam Foster; and nephews, Donnie, Kevin, and Corey Leen, Wayne Lackey, and Bryan Mussetter.     Visitation was Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.      Curtis Eugene was born May 1, 1924, in Lien Township, Roberts County, SD, to Clarence and Ruth (Struck) Leen. He was baptized and confirmed at Brandvold Lutheran Church, rural Victor, SD. He attended grade school in Victor and graduated from New Effington High School in 1941. After finishing school, Curt began working for Olaf Staagaberg in New Effington.     Curt married Helen Steen August 25, 1946, at Concordia Lutheran Church in rural Sisseton, SD. Curt began working on his own as a carpenter. Some of his projects included building Faith Lutheran Church and parsonage in New Effington and the Glacial Lakes Rest Area. After retiring, he continued to work at the Glacial Lakes Rest Area in maintenance. Helen passed away September 22, 1994.     On September 30, 1995, Curt married Betty Stahl at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington. Curt moved to the Rosholt Care Center in October of 2010.     Curt was a 42-year member of the New Effington Fire Department, Pheasants Forever, Walleye Masters, and the Lion's Club. He also served as mayor of New Effington and on the Roberts County Telephone Board.     Curt's hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing cards, bird watching, and watching sports on TV. He also enjoyed woodworking and built a miniature replica of Faith Lutheran Church.     Survivors include his wife, Betty of New Effington; son, Marsh Leen of Estelline, SD; daughter, Mary Jane (Bob) Foster of Estelline; two grandsons, Joel and Adam Foster; two brothers, Gary (Greta) Leen of St. Cloud, MN, and Butch (Lois) Leen of New Effington; a sister, Evalin Wall of Pierre, SD; stepchildren, Dennis (Johnette) Watt of Coalinga, CA, Gloria Marble of Coalinga, Thomas (Anita) Watt of Renton, WA, Valerie Peterson of Georgetown, MN, Donald (Pia) Watt of Centennial, CO, and Karen Pecheney of Green River, WY; and three step grandchildren.     Curt was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; sister, Janet Baker; and brother-in-law, Melvin Wall.