Curtis L. Palm

Curtis Lyle Palm was born August 12, 1925 to Martin & Ruth Palm, the third of eight children. He graduated from Edison High School in 1944. On August 14, 1948 he married Marian Warner. On January 8, 1950, Lora Lee was born followed by Jeffry Curtis on February 15, 1952 and followed by Karen Rebecca on August 27, 1956. During their time as a foster parents, for Lutheran Social Services from 1961- 1971, Matthew Alan born October 24, 1965 joined the family. Curtis started working at age 12 as a farmhand in Thief River Falls and continued to work until age 91.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force at age 19 and flew 13 missions over Japan as Central Fire Control (controlling all the top turret guns on the B29). As a Veteran, he and Matt went to many 444th Bomber Wing reunions all over the US. He was elated to participate in the Honor Flight to Wash DC in 2009. Following the war, he got married, built his own house in Columbia Heights and raised his family. Curtis had a piano store with his father for a short time but tuned pianos for 70 years for many school districts and churches. A musician, Curt played bass in the Minneapolis Symphony. Curtis worked at Soo Line Railroad and US Department of Agriculture as a Freight Rate Specialist. Curt and Marian were very involved in First Lutheran Church for over 60 years, Curt was a Sunday School teacher. He belonged to the Kiwanis and was active in the Boy Scouts Leadership.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Marian, in August.

Curtis is survived by his children, Lora Lee ( Wes), Jeffry ( Deborah), Karen (Lynne) and Matthew; his grandchildren, Aaron ( Betsy) Johnson, Jennifer ( Michael) Peterson, Luke (Tara) Johnson, Sandra Besvold and 10 Great-grandchildren and 29 nieces and nephews.