A come-and-go Celebration of Life gathering for Curtis Glawe, 62, of Aurelia, will be held Saturday, January 29 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Aurelia from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Curtis was a beloved husband, father and “pop pop”, who passed away January 3, 2022 at Hospice of the Valley, Tempe, Arizona surrounded by family.
Curtis Gordon “Curt” Glawe was born April 29, 1959 in Storm Lake. He grew up on the Glawe family farm south of Aurelia – learning the profession of farming at a young age and sweetening the tough work with the Fig Newtons shared with him by his Grandpa Floyd.
Curt attended Aurelia schools, and spent his high school years involved in sports and FFA. He graduated with the class of 1977, leaving home to learn the logistics of grain elevator management at Iowa Central Community College. He worked for a short time at the Jolley elevator before moving back to run the Glawe farm and take care of his dad and young brothers. During these years, Curtis began playing men’s league basketball in Storm Lake and Cherokee and participating in regional 3-on-3 tournaments. It wasn’t the NBA, but the teams took it as seriously and they proved their skills by winning many tournaments and trophies.
Curt married Lorri Nuehse on November 12, 1988 and they quickly and happily added to their family – Jordan, Marissa, Meghan, and Austin. Curt was a loving parent who helped instill a strong work ethic and values in his kids. He took keen interest in theirs’ and the community’s sports teams, stepping in as a volunteer coach for youth basketball, flag football, and little league baseball and softball. During his kids’ middle school and high school careers, Curt was a fixture at sporting events along with his video camera that he used to tape every game. He was almost as devoted to his Minnesota Vikings, rarely missing a game on TV and beginning every year with the hope that this would finally be the year. His kids knew they could go to him for advice on anything and admired the dedication he had to his family, his corny sense of humor, his work throughout life to continue learning, and the life guidance he provided them. When he became “pop pop” to Hendrix in 2018 and Harper in 2020 the family saw an even more loving and crazy Curt. Hendrix was Curt’s “Big Buddy” and Harper his “Little Honey”.
After many years farming, Curt went back to college at age 40 to pursue an accounting degree, graduating with honors from Buena Vista University in 2005. He went on to work as an accountant and tax preparer at several businesses in Northwest Iowa, before moving to Phoenix for the final two years of his life to work. He remained close with his family, living with Austin and making a point to do a family video chat every Thursday, as well as calling other times throughout the week. These conversations went on and on and were filled with much laughter and love.
Curt had several medical issues over the years but endured them. It was only over the last two months that his health became a pressing concern, leading him to spend time in two Arizona hospitals, in hope of relief from digestive issues. His family was heartbroken as they learned his health was deteriorating fast and he wasn’t likely to make it through the next 24 hours. He was moved from Honor Health Hospital in Scottsdale to Hospice of the Valley in Tempe early morning January 3, and passed away hours later.
Curt was preceded in death by his parents and a brother. His legacy will be carried on by his wife Lorri, Aurelia; children, Jordan Glawe, Phoenix, Marissa Glawe (Jeff Updike), Marcus, Meghan (Hunter) Widmer, Urbandale, Austin (Hannah) Glawe, Tempe, Arizona; and his beloved grandchildren, Hendrix and Harper Updike, Marcus.