Stella K. McCurdy, 91, of Audubon, Iowa, died Saturday, October, 10, 2020, at the Friendship Home in Audubon. She was adamant that God would bless her with 90 years here on earth; something she was very concerned about and shared with many in her later years. She said once she reached it, she would be ready to go “home.”
Stella Katherine, the daughter of Carl Theodore and Carrie Katherine (Hollander) Eggen, was born on June 22, 1929, in Timber Lake, Dewey County, South Dakota. A trip to the Wheaton County Fair led her to meeting her future husband, Arnold George McCurdy. The couple traveled and wrote to each other for three years before marrying on February 15, 1948. They were blessed with five children, Leonard, Esley, Steven, Norma and Carol.
The couple started their family while living in Cumberland, Iowa, and later lived in Missouri and Stella’s hometown of Wheaton, Minnesota. In the years to follow, they returned to Arnold’s roots in southwest Iowa, and while Arnold farmed Stella raised the children and worked outside the home. In 1965, the family moved to Audubon, Iowa. While living in Atlantic and Audubon Stella worked a variety of jobs including working at the landfill, cleaning houses, yard work, wallpapering, processing corn at Garst Seed Company, sewing canvas, cleaning pheasants, and cooking at the Dinner Bell and the Whirly Burger. One of her favorite jobs was with home healthcare providing care and assistance to anyone that needed an extra hand around their home.
Stella was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies Aide. She enjoyed puzzles, playing dominos and 25-point pitch, and reading; a few of her favorite genres being romance, mystery and westerns. Stella not only did sewing for family but also was someone the town looked to for hemming and zippers. She created hundreds of wood patterns with her band saw and then would paint them in various ways. Stella was socially active and looked forward to meeting friends for breakfast and coffee in the morning and would sometimes walk to their homes in the wee hours of the morning for another cup of coffee and cookies. A tradition that started in the early years was a trip to Darrell’s Place in Hamlin for red beer on her birthday; doing this every year she was still able. After moving to the Friendship Home four years ago it didn’t take long for them to realize the things she loved: chicken legs, steak and BINGO. It didn’t matter who may be visiting, when it was game time she was off to play.
The family had several pets through the years but Peanut Butter “Peanut” was extra special. Arnold didn’t want Stella to be lonely once he passed, so he gave her little Peanut, a mini Chihuahua, to keep her company. Stella, was happiest when surrounded by family and could usually be found holding the newest baby. She enjoyed the large family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Stella is survived by her children, Leonard (Debi) McCurdy of Atlantic, Steven (Joyce) McCurdy of Coon Rapids, Norma McCurdy of Jefferson, Carol Wolff of Audubon; daughter-in-law, Lisa German (wife of Esley) of Raymond, Kansas; eleven grandchildren, Tracey, Troy, Carrie, Nichole, Jennifer, Shawn, Steven Jr., Tina, Tiffany, Tonya and Travis; 46 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorise Siegel and June Herrmann, both of Wheaton, MN; brother-in-law, Wayne McCurdy of Weatherford, TX; and many extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Carrie Eggen; husband, Arnold; son, Esley McCurdy; sons-in-law, Kenneth Wolff and Leonard Larsen; sister and brother-in-law, Magdeline (Wayne) Siegal; and brothers-in-law, Loren Siegal and Bud Herrmann.
Visitation with the family present and a time for sharing of memories will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 15, 2020, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, south of Wiota, IA.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Stella’s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
Click below for Slideshow and Services
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Stella K. McCurdy
BORN
June 22, 1929 - Timber Lake, South Dakota
ENTERED INTO REST
October 10, 2020 - Audubon, Iowa
At the age of 91 years, 3 months & 18 days
VISITATION AND SHARING OF FAMILY MEMORIES
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Roland Funeral Home - Atlantic, Iowa
FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 15, 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church - Audubon, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Pastor Gordon Buchholz
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Amazing Grace”
“How Great Thou Art”
“Jesus Loves Me”
ORGANIST
Connie Faga
CASKET BEARERS
Troy McCurdy
Shawn Jensen
Steven McCurdy Jr.
Jeremy Stone
Shawn McCurdy
Travis Wolff
Kevin Knutsen
Nate Greve
Keith Schon
Jason Malloy
HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Mike Bailey
Kris Dykes
Austin Bailey
INTERMENT
First Lutheran Cemetery - South of Wiota, Iowa