Eva Louise (Lawson) Curtiss, 79, passed away on February 24, 2013 at her home, in Lawrence, KS. She was born on November 21, 1933 to Ernie James and Velma May (Richardson) Lawson in Hutchinson, KS where Eva met and married the love of her life, Kelley J. Curtiss. They were married from 1952 until her passing, sharing a lifetime of laughter and love and an appreciation for music, art and literature that they have passed to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Eva loved sunshine and moonlight and working in her gardens. She was an avid reader, dragon collector,and a baker known far and wide for her fabulous cinnamon rolls. She loved all babies, her Yorkies, Patsy Cline, Big Band singers and Bluegrass at the Walnut Valley Blue Grass Festival before it was cool. She was Miss Hutchinson of 1951. She was an undefeated leg wrestler, a champion jack player, and once bowled a 500 game. She played the autoharp, a mean tambourine, and had a throaty contralto voice. She was sassy, stubborn, loyal, opinionated, independent and generous.
She considered her greatest achievement to be her family. Six children were born in Hutchinson. The family moved to Salina in 1964 and to Topeka in 1970.
In Topeka she went to work, first at Northern Hills Jr High as a baker (hence the fabulous cinnamon rolls), then at Calhoun’s Department store, and finally at Hall Directory. She was a member of Pleasant Hill UMC. When her husband was transferred to Guthrie, Oklahoma, they made a new life, joining the First United Methodist church and choir, Eva working at BancFirst, Kelley playing in the Okie Dokie Banjo Band, and kicking up their heels while (square) dancing the night away. When she retired, they moved to Colorado Springs, then back to Kansas for the last 4 years. While living in KC she attended Wesley United Methodist Church.
Eva is survived by her spouse, Kelley, of Lawrence, KS; three daughters, Cleon Curtiss of the home, Melody Curtiss (Jamie Beletz) of Seattle, WA, and Lyric (Larry) Bartz of Lawrence, KS; three sons, Kelley (Myra) Curtiss of Colwich, KS, Kevin (Darcy) Curtiss of Kansas City, KS, Patrick (Martha Coffman) Curtiss of Lawrence, KS; and her stepson Ronald (Amelia) Curtiss of Guatemala City, GT.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Gillian (Brandon) Masters; Colin (Catherine) Cathey, Era (Ari Hornick) Cathey, Robin (Barry) Adcock, Jenny (Matt) Talley, Eric and Sarah Beletz; Brianne, Kindra, Charlton (Cheyenne) and Brenton Bartz; Danielle (Jessica) Curtiss-Smith, Dana (Rick) Piatt, Gwen (Kevin) McDonald, Bill, Rachel, Christa, Joel and Jessica Curtiss; Sarah, Caitlin, Arin, Evan, and Ryan Curtiss; Kelley Evans, Clint Curtiss and Brendan Gallagher; and Loraine, Ronald Jr., and Oscar Curtiss.
She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Patricia Trantham and Donna Adcock, and 8 nieces and nephews.
Eva was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Goldie Helflin and Pat Baytosh.
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
A link to relive more memories caught in still frame will be posted here soon, so come back and hash up those happy memories.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Scleroderma Foundation (300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923), theAlzheimer’s Foundation of America (322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001) or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605).
On behalf of the entire St Patrick’s Day parade Committee, our hearts go out to her entire family. We have been so honored to have such a wonderful spirit be a part of our parade each year and for so long. On the eve of our 26th Anniversary parade, I am am so saddened to know she will not be celebrating with us. Our thoughts go out to her and we will be sure to toast to her wonderful self tomorrow!
Kelley, Melody, Cleon and Family,
Eva was always a great joy to know and love. You are in our hearts and prayers for you loss.
Ricki and Cyd
Eva was a beautiful loving and lady. She will be missed by so many. She touched our lives in many ways. Prayers to the family and friends.
I am so very glad I got to meet Eva and visit with her on several occasions! She was always happy to see me!
I will never forget her letting us make tacos or pizza in her kitchen. She always had a smile on her face. Of course, it was always nice to have her and your dad sitting behind us in church. Sharing the hymns is a good memory.
No words. I love you each hummingbird i see each morning i hear the birds sing when i set in a hammock or see a merry-go-round every christmas Thanksgiving and st Patrick’s day on your birthday and morgans too everytime i look at my baby girl grandma forever and someday too i love you so
All I really need to know, I learned before I got to kindergarten. Thank you, Mommy.
Eva was the best dancer. She had an extra snap and spark that made her unique and enchanting on and off the dance floor. I will never forget watching her and Kelley trip the light fantastic and wishing I could move even half as gracefully as she did. Eva is surely dancing in heaven now. Peace be with her family and friends that all miss her now. She was one of a kind!
I have so many awesome memories of aunt Eva…when we all would get together at grandmas house on Christmas Eve…and grandma bought us all new pajamas…we would all line up and have our pics taken under the Christmas tree..anyway cherished memories of aunt Eva and many cousins to hang out with..love those times and memories….if i could sum up words about aunt Eva…i think i would have to say…STRONG…SASSY…SPICY……LOVED HER AND WILL MISS HER SMILING FACE…my heart goes out to each and everyone of you …its so hard to lose a parent!!!!
We loved you so much we are having a hard time putting everything we feel into words. We will get a fitting obituary posted soon.
Or her voice
I will never forget her smile