Curtis Miles Fossum was born August 20th, 1921 in Christine, North Dakota to Olaf and Mabel (Erickson) Fossum. Curtis passed into eternity March 29th, 2013 with his loving wife and four children at his bedside. He will be greatly missed as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Curtis’ family immigrated to Independent Valley near Tupper, BC in 1930 with only a Dodge car and trailer carrying all their possessions. Those were hard and lean times for homesteaders. Food was scarce and Curtis often picked berries with his mother. Thankfully wild game & fruit were plentiful then. Even as a ten-year old, Curtis liked to hunt. He would shoot squirrels and sell them for eight cents apiece. Later on he enjoyed hunting with his 30 Remington pump action rifle.
While at the homestead, Curtis enjoyed school, riding his horse “Shorty”, chumming with friends, playing baseball, and fishing. Around this time, Curtis’ father bought the 12-years old a violin and a new love developed. Curtis took a few violin lessons and enjoyed playing with family and neighbours. Later he and his brother Gordon, a banjo player, played at country dances. Curtis continued playing into his 80s.
Curtis met Jean at a wedding dance in 1944. They married on July 17, 1946, and celebrated their 66th anniversary last summer. Curtis worked with his father and brother in the logging business and in later years with his sons. He also worked at Industrial Road, WAC Bennett Dam, and Northwest Wood Preservers. Later he raised sheep with Alfred Thompson.
Curtis enjoyed ice and floor curling and reading; especially westerns.
He would often swap bags of books with his boys and friends. Curtis loved to travel. The first of 3 trips to Alaska was in 1947. He went abroad to Scotland and several trips were made to Montana and North Dakota reconnecting with relatives and friends along the way.
Curtis loved the cabin at Peavine Lake. From 1992 until last fall, he anxiously awaited springtime. Once at the cabin, he would start the campfire, put on a pot of coffee, and exclaim “Ahh, this is the life of Riley”as he relaxed in one of his hand made chairs.
Curtis lived a full, happy, and content life. He will be greatly missed. It’s not goodbye, just “See you later.”
Curtis was predeceased by his parents Olaf and Mabel Fossum; his brother, Gordon, and sister, Marjorie Sullivan; brothers-in-law, Bill Scobie, Joe Deak, and Steve Sullivan; sister-in-law, Mildred Fossum Houde; mother and father- in-law Margaret and David Scobie.
He is survived by his wife Jean of 66 years, sons Lary (Diane) Fossum,
Gary (Kathy) Fossum, Brian (Mary) Fossum, daughter Janice (Daniel)
Pust and stepson Dennis (Mary) Felhauer and family; grandchildren Heather (Ryan) Frost, Jordy (Amanda) Fossum, Craig Fossum, Carmen (Dion) Girard,
Lisa Fossum, Megan (Greg) Keath, Brenna Fossum, Laura (Ben) Heuser, Tyler Pust, Ryan Pust, Seth Pust; great-grandchildren Ethan, Alyse, Jordan, Rylan, and Gavin; sisters-in-law Barbara Deak and Eva Scobie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium