Obituary: Curtis Diehl
Author: Family of Curtis Diehl
Curtis Diehl
Family of Curtis Diehl
With bittersweet feelings, we announce the passing of Curtis Clifford Diehl on August 9, 2024.
Curt was born in Helena, Montana on April 23, 1935, to George and Elizabeth Diehl. He is preceded in death by his wife Zelda, his parents, and three brothers: John, Bill, and Rick. He is survived by his brother Kenny. Curt leaves behind his children Sherry, Shay, (Callie), Shawn, (Deanna), Whitney, (Hector), Lisa, (Rick), and Dallas, (Melissa), along with 40 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Curt spent his childhood on the Spokane Ranch outside of East Helena, Montana. His early days were spent riding horses, working cattle, and driving tractors.
After high school, he married Janet Martin. They had a daughter Sherry. The next few years brought a series of adventures, working for Armor Metal in Helena (where he honed his welding skills), at Sieben Livestock (where he gained a passion for sheep), for various farmers and machinery dealerships (learning farming skills and machinery repair). After a period of significant personal change, including a divorce, Curt was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That decision brought him deep comfort and fulfillment, and he dedicated the remainder of his life to actively serving others.
Curt pursued higher education at Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Minor in Accounting. While attending summer school in 1962 at Montana State University, Curt caught the eye of Zelda Lee, who had admired him at BYU. Their first date was to visit a church farm, and Curt’s perfect pitch quickly won her heart. They married on November 2, 1962, and were sealed in the Alberta Temple. The couple returned to BYU where Curt completed his degree and welcomed 3 children in quick succession. Post-graduation, he worked at the University of Nebraska Beef Cattle Research Station, but the pull of Montana brought the young family back to their beloved home state, where Curt would spend the rest of his life.
With a deep faith in God and His promises, a strong work ethic, and determined resilience, Curt and Zelda spent 54 years weathering the ups and downs of running their 500-acre Diehl Farm south of Townsend. They raised sheep, cows, horses, wheat, alfalfa, and flourishing gardens, but more importantly, they raised six children, foster children, and eventually a growing brood of grandchildren. Their home was a hub of hospitality, where the dinner table always had room for one or even twenty more. Meals began with prayers of thanks and requests for blessings. Curt was known for his lively and entertaining conversations with family, friends, neighbors, missionaries and visitors from all over the world, especially those in need of respite. Everyone who crossed their threshold received love, care, food, and validation.
Curt and Zelda often sang together for weddings, funerals, and parties throughout the community. Curt was deeply devoted to Jesus Christ and together with Zelda, they raised their six children to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Fulfilling their own mission dreams, Curt and Zelda served three missions together. Their example of missionary service influenced 16 of their grandchildren, who have served all over the world.
The funeral and viewing will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Townsend. The viewing will be held Friday, August 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, August 31, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Deep Creek Cemetery.
Please join the family and community for a luncheon and celebration of Curt’s life at the Broadwater County Fairgrounds following the interment. Please visit https://www.stevensonwilke.com to offer a condolence to the family, or to share a memory of Curt.
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