Date of Birth:
Thursday, August 2, 1928
Date of Death:
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Age:
88 years old

Leslie Curtis “Curt” McGillivray

Leslie Curtis McGillivray, 88, died peacefully early on the morning of December 17 at Samaritan Bethany Care Center following a brief illness and complications of diabetes.

Curt was born August 2, 1928, to Leslie Simon and Laura (Severson) McGillivray in Austin MN. The family lived in Rose Creek MN, moving to Carpenter IA where he was confirmed at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in 1944 and graduated from high school in 1948. He attended Iowa State University and Austin Junior College. Upon the death of his father in 1950, he farmed with his mother until 1955 when he joined the US Army, serving until 1957. Upon returning to Carpenter, he was employed at the Carpenter Savings Bank.

He married Delores Wilkins, a teacher in the Carpenter Consolidated School, November 25, 1959, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar IA. The couple lived in Des Moines IA, Mankato MN, and Sherburn MN before settling in Rochester in 1972. Curt was employed by a local insurance agency, providing service to Mayo Clinic doctors and staff for 18 years, retiring in 1990.

Curt was a man of deep faith, quiet strength, integrity, and kindness. He enjoyed helping people, whether professionally or personally. Many of his interests were centered on family and home, but he also enjoyed maintaining the family cars, travel, aviation and farm history.

Curt is survived by his wife, Delores, son, Steven (Janet), Fountain Hills, AZ, daughter, Leslie McGillivray-Rivas, Rochester, two grandsons, Sam and Ben Rivas, Rochester, sister, Audrey McKinley, St. Ansgar IA, four brother- and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, two great-great nieces, two great-great nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Prairie River Home Health, Olmsted Medical Center and Samaritan Bethany Care Center staffs for their compassionate caregiving. A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, Saturday, January 14, at 2 p.m with pastor Adam Koglin officiating. Visitation will be one half hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, IA, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial, the American Diabetes Association, or Redeemer Lutheran Church (Rochester).