Curtis Lenander

Curtis Junior Lenander was born Oct. 3, 1928 in Toronto, S.D., to John Lenander and Annie Anderson Lenander.
He was the sixth of seven children—Harry, Berniece, Andy, Stella, Violet, Curtis, then Vernon. Before he was born, his mother lost two other babies, and then she and a third sibling passed away during childbirth when Curtis was only 8 years old.
His father later met and married a sweet widow named Josie Sletten, who had three children—Agnes, Kenneth and Leslie. Blending the Lenander-Sletten families led to strong bonds of love and support that were evident at the many family reunions that were held over the years.
On Aug. 10, 1951, while home from training camp and before being shipped overseas to fight in the Korean War, Curtis and Betty were on their way to visit his sister Stella, when Curtis pulled over to the side of the country road and gave her an engagement ring. They later married May 10, 1953 after the war.
While in Korea, Curtis was seriously wounded on his 24th birthday, Oct. 3, 1952. He received a Purple Heart for his service and we have always been extremely proud of the sacrifices he made for our country which has contributed to the freedoms we all experience today.
After the family moved to Torrance, Calif., in 1964 where they were active in Christ the King Lutheran Church, YMCA and Kings Square dancing group, Curtis spent several decades with Crenshaw Lumber Co. in Gardena, Calif., and often took his children along for Saturday deliveries.  Curtis displayed a dedicated, disciplined, hard work ethic as a farmer, mechanic and truck driver who set very high standards for his children and his children’s children to follow.  
In 1995 Curtis and Betty sold their home in Torrance and traveled full time in their motorhome. For nine years they traveled throughout the United States visiting all their children and grandchildren in California, Idaho and Missouri, along with many family members in South Dakota. They eventually settled at the Sun Vista Resort in Yuma, Ariz., for 20 years where he had a strong group of friends and ruled over the billiard room. His favorite times were meeting his buddies to play pool, dancing with his beautiful Betty and spending the holidays with all his family!
Curtis passed away peacefully to his heavenly home July 18, 2022, at the Kindred Home in Yuma.
Curtis is survived by his wife, Betty, of 69 years; his four children, Roger (Randi) Lenander, Jerry Lenander, Debbie Sanders and Linda (Jeffrey) Kalama; he took great joy in his 11 grandchildren,  Jeffrey (Emmanuelle) Kalama,  Jr.,  Justin (Madison) Kalama,  Jessica (Nicholas) Turner, Jacob Kalama, Ronnie (Demi) Sanders, Christiann Arbini, Shawna (Tim) Roberts, Katie (Robert) Bogadi, Kari Lenander, Owen (Kristen) Lenander and Kirsten (Ryan) McGlohn; and he was blessed with 11 great-grandchildrenm Violet, Jolie, and James Kalama,  Isabella McDonough and Sofia Kalama, Kaizer Sanders, Blake and Kaleb Bogadi, Adeline McGlohn, Harper Lenander and Zion Turner.
Services were held Aug. 3 with internment with military honors at Riverside National Cemetery.  
Condolences may be sent to Betty Lenander, 7201 E. 32nd St. #877, Yuma, AZ 85365.

 

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