Curtis Ellsworth Wennes, 92, of Hesper, Iowa, died peacefully on Monday, September 10, 2018, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
Curtis was born on June 28, 1926, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Edgar and Cora (Brunsvold) Wennes. He attended school in Hesper, Iowa, and Mabel, Minn., graduating from the Mabel High School in 1944.
On September 28, 1947, Curtis married Sylvia Wirth at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church in Highlandville, Iowa. Following their marriage, they lived in the Hesper/Mabel area and wintered in the Mesa/Gilbert, Arizona area.
In 1951 Curtis started Wennes Truck Line with two straight trucks and four trailers. In 1958 he purchased property on Highway 44 in Mabel which became the North Star (gas station) and Country Side Inn (restaurant).
Curtis enjoyed watching and going to NASCAR races around the United States. He later raised Welsch ponies and enjoyed having them in parades in the tri-state area in the summer/fall and in Arizona in the winter.
Curtis is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sylvia; daughter Connie (Jag) Amdahl of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; sons Randy (Julie) Wennes of Cresco, Iowa, and Tony Wennes (Charlene Selbee) of Hesper, Iowa; grandchildren: Tracy Kruse, Tim Wennes, Anita Elco, Terri Huish, Sarah Wennes, Kristen Wennes, Josh Wennes, and Taylor Blaess; 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gary Wennes; and a grandson, Curt Wennes.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Saturday, September 15, 2018, at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa, with Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, September 14 at the Hesper Lutheran Church and on Saturday one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Hesper Lutheran Church. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.