Curtis Wentz

On Thursday, June 11, 2020, Curtis C. Wentz, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 78 at the Augusta Place Care Center in Bismarck, ND. 

Curt was born in Mandan, ND on December 30, 1941 to Christ and Lena (Witt) Wentz.  He was raised in Steele and Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School in 1960 and Wahpeton State School of Science in 1964 with a Civil Engineering Aide degree. 

He married his high school sweetheart, Diane Melech on August 26, 1961 and from that union were born two children, Laura Lee in December 1964 and Christopher Kyle in May 1966.  Curt’s love for his children and grandchildren was immeasurable.  His response to our “I love you” was always “I love you more”.  He was the pillar of the family and could be counted on for words of advice or a helping hand whenever needed.

Curt worked for Twin City Testing from 1965 to 1973 when he and a partner then formed Midwest Testing Laboratory.  After selling his share, Curt went to work for Basin Electric Power Cooperative until poor health forced him to retire in 2000.

In 2006, Curt and his son purchased a hunting cabin south of Medora which is where he was most content.  The family finds comfort in knowing he is riding horseback and enjoying an eternal hunting season in Heaven.

Curt is survived by his wife of 58 years Diane, their children Laura Skager and Chris (Suzanne) Wentz; four wonderful grandchildren, Riley Skager and Gena (Conner) Trom, Morgan and Madyson (fiance Adam Galindo) Wentz; his sisters, Mavis Houghton and Janet Holzer, brother Earl (Irene) Wentz, and a very special nephew Duane Houghton.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Bernice and Gloria.

Curt’s family would especially like to thank Bonnie and John at the Augusta Place Care Center for the constant and attentive care they provided to him on a daily basis.  You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

May Jesus encircle Curt in his arms and love him dearly.  We entrust him to Your care until we are reunited with him once again.

Curt requested to be cremated, his ashes will be interred during a memorial service on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck, ND.

“He needed someone who could handle a horse, teach them, tame them, but never break them.  Someone whose soul needed the saddle and would not change with the world around them. So He made a Cowboy.”