Curtis Clyde Akland

Curt slipped gently into God’s eternity April 27, 2017 after a few hours at the Cottage in the Meadow. Curt was born in Denhoff, North Dakota on January 24, 1940 to Olaf Akland and Bertha Siegele Akland. At the age of 6 they sold the farm and community store and headed for California. Having relatives in Yakima they planned to spend the winter but Olaf got a job with CropKing and they settled permanently. Graduating from Yakima High School in 1957 Curt attended YVC for 2 years, then University of Washington for a year, transferred to JM Perry graduating with a degree in instrumentation.

In 1961 he married Arden Church and they headed for Idaho Falls, Idaho to work for Argonne National Lab producing plutonium. Wanting to be closer to family, Curt took a job in Richland working for GE at Hanford, building the N reactor. After the nuclear cutbacks he moved to West Linn, Oregon, working for Crown Zellerbach. In 1968 his dad, Olaf, talked the family into moving back to Yakima to help him in his growing irrigation business. He remained dedicated working for Akland Pump and Irrigation until last Christmas when his health failed. Curt built the business into what it is today. His son, Mark, is continuing as the third generation serving farmers and residents of the valley.

Curt loved the Lord and studied scripture for many years in Bible Study Fellowship. His family was most important to him and life was best when they were gathered around. He enjoyed cards and teaching cribbage to his grandkids. An avid Norwegian fisherman he left behind about 350 fishing rods and 2,000,000 “wiggle worts,” many fishing buddies and memories. He was never without a story about “Sven and Ole” and their trusty dog Knut.

Most recently he was involved in Yakima Covenant Church, West Valley Lions Club and Apple Valley Model A Club where he enjoyed driving his 1928 Model A sedan.

Curt was a model of hard work, honesty, generosity, faithfulness and courage as he battled cancer this last year.

He is survived by his wife, Arden, of 55 years, his children David (Nancy), Daniel (Shelley), Mark (Jan), Amy (Tracy), 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Curt’s favorite charities were Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp, Union Gospel Mission, and Yakima Humane Shelter.

A celebration of life will be held at Yakima Covenant Church on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 at 3:30 followed by reception. To celebrate the life of Curt and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.

A big thank you to the Cottage staff.