Curtis G. Vangsness

Curtis’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 11:00 AM Saturday July 19, 2025.

Curtis Vangsness passed away late on July 14, 2025, at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND. It was a quiet end to a big life.

Curt was born on September 18, 1941, in Fargo and was baptized at West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Kindred, ND. He attended Helendale Country School and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran School before continuing his education at the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. His favorite classroom, though, was always the wide-open sky and the rolling prairie.

A pilot by profession and a farm kid at heart, Curt’s early flying days included skydiver runs. After one jump himself, he decided he’d rather stick to flying the plane than exiting it midair. Over the years, he wore many hats: airplane mechanic, spray pilot, farmer, and cattleman. He spent most of his life raising crops and animals, but anyone close to him knows he was just as good at raising a little mischief. His sense of humor stayed with him right up to his final days.

In 1982, Curt married Elaine (Wright) at St. Rose of Lima in Hillsboro. Together, they raised two children, Eric and Amy. Curt spent many days around the family’s tiny kitchen table with friends, where the coffee, sandwich cookies, stories, and laughs were bottomless.

In his later years, Curt lived with Parkinson’s disease and spent his final 18 months in a long-term care facility.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Josephine Vangsness. He is survived by his sister, JoAnn (Dale) Erickson; brother, Senster (Jan) Vangsness; his wife, Elaine; son, Eric (Sara); daughter, Amy Duchsherer (Christopher); and three grandchildren: Lauren (Eric), Claire (Eric), and Dominic (Amy).

Curt’s life was well-lived. It was filled with hard work, good company, and just the right amount of trouble-making. He will be deeply missed by all who love him.