Cloudy, 59° F
(May 31, 1916 - Oct. 14, 2015)
H. Curtis Larsen, 99, of Meeteetse, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at West Park Hospital.
Curtis was born to Helen Hagbery Larsen and Henry C. Larsen May 31, 1916, on the family ranch on Wood River southwest of Meeteetse. Following eighth-grade graduation, he went to work on the family ranch, where he remained the rest of his working life chronicling the decades with daily journal entries and countless photographs.
Curtis rodeoed during his younger years, riding saddle broncs in the ’30s and ’40s. Many have said that he could have made a career in rodeo, but he felt he was needed on the ranch.
He was an exceptional horse hand. He both loved and respected them and had high regard for their role in the work of the ranch. Curtis did not embrace the ranch’s transition from horse power to the machine age and resisted the change as long as he possibly could.
Being a cowman was a second nature for Curtis. He had a great understanding of livestock and how they should be handled.
Curtis epitomized the American cowboy: hard working, hard playing, with generosity and a willingness to help others. He loved to tell stories and also was an avid letter writer.
Curtis married Retta Niles in 1952. She passed away in 1985.
He was a past member of the Meeteetse Cattlemen’s Association and Wyoming Stockgrowers Association. On Sept. 27, 2015, he was honored by his induction into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame along with his late brother, Ralph.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Retta; brothers, John and Ralph; sister, Ethel Moody; and sister-in-law, Janet Larsen.
Curtis is survived by brother-in-law, John “Jay” Moody; two nephews, Dr. Mervin (Nada) Larsen and Jay R. (Connie) Moody; and four nieces, Helen Larsen (Doug Pearce), Karen (Dr. Bill) Gould, Sharen (Randy) Kruger, Linda “Abby” (Richard) Herman and their families; and a multitude of close friends.
Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Curtis’ life will be held at a later date. Memorials in Curtis’ name can be made to the Chase Hawks Memorial Association, the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame or a charity of your choice.
