Curtis Owen Gwynn

CURTIS OWEN GWYNN

January 1, 1927 – October 26, 2020

                Curtis Owen Gwynn, age 93 years, 9 months, and 25 days, peacefully passed into eternity on Monday, October 26, 2020 at the CHI St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids. 

                Curt was born on January 1, 1927 in Woodworth, ND to Chauncy and Rosella (Johnson) Gwynn.  It was in Woodworth that he attended public school and graduated from Woodworth High with the Class of 1944.  He then entered the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific theatre of World War II.  His ship was patrolling the Sea of Japan on the historic day when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed to end the war.  After his honorable discharge in 1946, Curt returned to North Dakota and attended Jamestown College.  On May 2^nd, 1948, he was united in marriage to Ethel Knight.  They were blessed with two children: Douglas and Pam.  During his working career, Curt worked as an accountant for the Hector Construction Company in Minneapolis and after moving to Northern Minnesota owned and operated Standard Oil Stations in Hackensack and Park Rapids.  Curt and Ethel realized their dream of living on a lake in 1978, when they moved out to Moran Lake.  Throughout his life, Curt enjoyed hunting; especially taking waterfowl hunting trips to North Dakota and Canada, fishing, golfing, playing cribbage, and having coffee with his friends.  During his retirement, Curt took on the challenge of cooking and became a very good family chef.  He was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and was a lifetime member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post.  After the passing of his beloved Ethel in 2007, Curt moved to Summerfield Place in 2012 and resided there until his death.

                He is lovingly remembered by his son, Douglas (Jim) of Youngtown, AZ and his daughter, Pam (Jim) Heeren of Park Rapids; 4 dearly loved grandchildren 7 precious great-grandchildren; 1 nephew, and 5 nieces.  Curt was also blessed with many good friends from St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Summerfield Place Apartments.

                In addition to his wife, Curt was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, and his sister-in-law and her husband.

                Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Rev. James Neubauer and Rev. Joel Newton officiating.  The organist will be Sarah Kaufenburg.  Military honors conducted by the Star Of The North Marine Corps League will follow the service.  Interment will be made next to his wife in the Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will begin at the church one hour prior to the service.  To view the live service, please go to www.stjohnspr.org and click on the livestream link or go to St. John's Facebook page.  To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com