Curtis Stowe

Curtis A. Stowe, 91, New Effington, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025, with family surrounding him, at the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton.

Funeral Services will be Monday, December 8, at 1:00 p.m.at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington officiated by Rev. Pat Schubert.  Music will be provided by Deb Bredvik and Sisters by Heart.  The service will be livestreamed on the First, Faith & Our Savior's Lutheran Parishes Facebook page.

Burial will be in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington.  Military honors will be provided by the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington and the Leo American Legion Post 48 of Rosholt.   Pallbearers will be Rick Martinek, Randy Martinek, Mike Martinek, Steve Swenson, Kevin Steen, Kraig Steen, Jace Hansen, Scott Hansen, Tim Koch, Aaron Goette, and Jason Goette.

Visitation will be Monday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Curtis Ardell Stowe was born November 21, 1934, to Alick and Hilda (Braaten) Stowe in Sisseton.  He grew up on the farm near New Effington and went to school at Lien #5.  Curtis began farming in 1952.  He served in the U.S. Army from June of 1957 to March of 1959.  He completed basic training at Ft. Polk, LA, and later was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, where he worked in supply for the 47th Field Hospital.  Curtis then returned to farming and in 1969 moved into New Effington.

On August 29, 1975, Curtis married LeAnn Christensen at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington.  In 2024, they moved to the apartments in town and a short time later Curtis became a resident of Countryside Inn in Rosholt.  Just a couple weeks ago, Curtis fell, broke his hip and had surgery.

Curtis worked for the A.S.C.S. for several years and served on the New Effington Cemetery Board as treasurer for many years.  He was a member of the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 and took part in the Honor Guard duties.  His interests included being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and trapping.  He also enjoyed bowling.

Curtis was a quiet man with a soft smile.  Godchild, Susan Goette, would visit him at CSI and could always get him to smile and get that twinkle in his eye.

Curtis was loved and will be missed by many, including his wife LeAnn of 50 years; nieces, Janis Swenson, Gayle Hansen, Diane Knebel, Sandra Martinek, Cheryl Koch, Lori Stowe, and Susan Goette; special friends to the couple, Mike and Brenda Ceroll; and many great nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends.

Preceding Curtis in death were his parents, Alick and Hilda; siblings, Jeanette Martinek, Lorraine Westby, Luella Knutson, and Lloyd and Kenneth Stowe; nephews, Larry and Vernell Martinek; nieces, Joan Gunnarson and Karen Steen; and his in-laws, Ralph and Ruby Christensen.