Beth Curtis

Aurora, Utah - Beth Marie Sorensen Curtis, age 91, of Aurora, passed away peacefully February 2, 2014 in Gunnison, Utah, surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 5, 1922 in Nephi, Utah, the youngest of nine children born to James Alford and Josie Ann Memmott Sorensen. She graduated from Millard High School, where she enjoyed dancing and playing basketball. Beth married Max J. Curtis, September 19, 1941 in the Manti LDS Temple and they were blessed throughout the years with 5 children. Max passed away May 18, 2011. Other than a couple of years in Arizona, Beth and Max raised their family in Aurora, Utah, where she lovingly supported her husband throughout various occupations including farming, logging, ranching and coal mining. They even became business partners for a number of years when they purchased and operated the Aurora Merc in Aurora and the Star Theater in Gunnison. Beth had a green thumb for flowerbeds, enjoyed having a large garden, and was known to sell and give away numerous crates of raspberries each summer throughout the community. Due to being born and raised during the great depression years, Beth was very thrifty and saved everything. She was well known for her excellent bottling and canning skills and recipes. Beth was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she had a very strong testimony and served in various callings in Primary, MIA, Sunday School, Relief Society and was a dance director for many years. Later, Beth and Max served as Manti Temple Ordinance Workers for five years. Mom absolutely loved having all of her family around where she would recite various stories from childhood memories of growing up in Scipio, display numerous black and white photos, and review family lineage. She is survived by her children, Marie and Roger Taylor, Joan and Brent Coates, Dana Rae Coates, all of Aurora; Calleen Curtis of Draper; 17 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons: Clyde Lero Curtis and Jay M. Curtis; grandson, Cal Jay Curtis; son-in-law: Neal D. Coates; brothers, Boyd, Cleo, Leland, Dick and Rex Sorensen; sisters, Louise Gowers, Edith Dearden and Nellie Stephensen. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 12 Noon in the Aurora 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, 85 North Main Street in Aurora, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.