With bittersweet feelings, we announce the passing of Curtis Clifford Diehl on August 9, 2024.
Curt was born in Helena, Montana on April 23, 1935, to George and Elizabeth Diehl. He is preceded in death by his wife Zelda, his parents, and three brothers: John, Bill, and Rick. He is survived by his brother Kenny. Curt leaves behind his children Sherry, Shay, (Callie), Shawn, (Deanna), Whitney, (Hector), Lisa, (Rick), and Dallas, (Melissa), along with 40 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Curt spent his childhood on the Spokane Ranch outside of East Helena, Montana. His early days were spent riding horses, working cattle, and driving tractors.
After high school, he married Janet Martin. They had a daughter Sherry. The next few years brought a series of adventures, working for Armor Metal in Helena (where he honed his welding skills), at Sieben Livestock (where he gained a passion for sheep), for various farmers and machinery dealerships (learning farming skills and machinery repair). After a period of significant personal change, including a divorce, Curt was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That decision brought him deep comfort and fulfillment, and he dedicated the remainder of his life to actively serving others.
Curt pursued higher education at Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Accounting. While attending summer school in 1962 at Montana State University, Curt caught the eye of Zelda Lee, who had admired him at BYU. Their first date was to visit a church farm, and Curt’s perfect pitch quickly won her heart. They married November 2, 1962, and were sealed in the Alberta Temple. The couple returned to BYU where Curt completed his degree and welcomed 3 children in quick succession. Post graduation, he worked at University of Nebraska Beef Cattle Research Station, but the pull of Montana brought the young family back to their beloved home state, where Curt would spend the rest of his life.
With a deep faith in God and His promises, a strong work ethic, and determined resilience, Curt and Zelda spent 54 years weathering the ups and downs of running their 500-acre Diehl Farm south of Townsend. They raised sheep, cows, horses, wheat, alfalfa, and flourishing gardens, but more importantly, they raised six children, foster children, and eventually a growing brood of grandchildren. Their home was a hub of hospitality, where the dinner table always had room for one or even twenty more. Meals began with prayers of thanks and requests for blessings. Curt was known for his lively and entertaining conversations with family, friends, neighbors, missionaries, and visitors from all over the world, especially those in need of respite. Everyone who crossed their threshold received love, care, food, and validation.
Curt and Zelda often sang together for weddings, funerals, and parties throughout the community. Curt was deeply devoted to Jesus Christ and together with Zelda, they raised their six children to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Fulfilling their own mission dreams, Curt and Zelda served three missions together. Their example of missionary service influenced 16 of their grandchildren, who have served all over the world.
The funeral and viewing will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Townsend. The viewing will be held Friday, August 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, August 31, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Deep Creek Cemetery.
Please join the family and community for a luncheon and celebration of Curt’s life at the Broadwater County Fairgrounds following the interment.
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday August 30, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Viewing
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday August 31, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 31, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the service
Saturday August 31, 2024
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the burial
Saturday August 31, 2024
Broadwater County Fairgrounds
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday August 30, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Viewing
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday August 31, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 31, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the service
Saturday August 31, 2024
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the burial
Saturday August 31, 2024
Broadwater County Fairgrounds
Townsend, Montana 59644
Share
Gail & Lorrie Vennes says
Dallas, Melissa and family,
Our sincere sympathy to you and the family. It was a gift to have known your Dad and to be neighbors to you all.
We pray your memories will bring you comfort at this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers,
Mania Ryan says
Dear Lisa it’s me Nieshas mum. I just wanted to express my love and condolences at this time. What a long life he had a blessing for you and your siblings. Just think on the other side of the veil how happy he will be to see your mum and his mum and dad and family,,what a happy reunion. All my love to you and your precious whanau. Arohanui from Nieshas mum Mania Rya. Xoxo xoxo ….
Stuart Busby says
Whitney, Your Father, Curtis Diehl, raised a wonderful daughter in you! You are a reflection of your Parents up bringing. It is obvious that you were very close to your DAD. Cheryl and I are sorry for your loss. Best wishes in the future to you and Hector and your wonderful family!
Stuart
Kären and Bob Cremer says
What a kind man Curt was. Prayers and love to all of your family. Blessings to you, and peace to you in the sadness you are feeling.
Kären and Bob Cremer
Bruce and Glenda Welch says
Curt Diehl was one of the true friends that helped me, Bruce, to reactivate. As I remember, it was the fall of 1971 or 1972. Our friendship became stationed then and there and only grew as time passed. I worked for Curt and Zelda on their farm briefly. Curt and I served together as Seventy in The Church. We hauled hay, logged and hauled timber, among other things as fund raisers. Curt was like a big brother to me. One reason I loved him so much, was his straight forward ways of letting you know how it is.
Glenda and I send our deepest condolences to the Diehl family. Curt and Zelda meant a great deal to us and were very much loved by us and our family. Bruce and Glenda Welch
Dave Ditto says
So sorry to hear of Curt’s passing. It will be a sweet reunion when we see he and Zelda again one day. I loved working for the Diehls for a few summers back in the late sixties and early seventies. They were such hard workers and taught me so much about work. Even though some of us were very young, they trusted us with their equipment, which made us feel grown up and important. And there were always those hot summer days irrigating when Curt would surprise us young guys by pushing us into the irrigation canal as we crossed it to “cool us off.” And then he would laugh and laugh. Sometimes he would let us throw him in even though he probably could have prevented it. Lots and lots of great memories from those days Love you all, and may God continue to bless and prosper you.
Frank Peters says
Although I didn’t know him well, I met him several times at different truck stops when he was hauling hay or grain. He would always say hi and we would visit. He seemed like a very good man that I had great respect for in our short conversations. Our sympathy to the Diehl family. Frank & Shila Peters
Carl Hatch says
I extend my sincere condolences to all members of the Zelda and Curt Diehl Family. Now that Curt has been reunited with Zelda, I am happy for him. He is once again with Zelda, his eternal companion, and they together are preparing your place with them in the eternity ahead. Because of Jesus Christ, whom they followed by giving their all to his Gospel, the Zelda and Curt Diehl Family will take its exalted place in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. I hope the truth as stated by President Nelson that “salvation is an individual matter and exaltation is a family matter”, will bring you peace and comfort as you view and experience Curt’s mortal death through that eternal lens. The righteous example of Zelda and Curt is a great legacy. As their posterity, live your remaining mortal years ad they lived theirs.
Mary Ellen Schnur says
Curt was such a special person. He lived an exemplary life of service, “love one another as I have loved you” was probably his motto. He was a blessing to our community. I sure enjoyed knowing him and Zelda.
Jack & Ranee Berg says
We are glad to know Curt & Zelda – wonderful people! Happy for their heavenly reunion as we miss them both on this side. Til we meet again!
Lisa Gibson says
My mother Judy (then Gibson, now Andersen) was taught and blessed by Curt; bringing her into the church. I first met Curt through Zelda, who was my visiting Teach Companion, and I always enjoyed our concersations. Curt and Zelda were a tremendous blessing to my family, and we will always miss them, but are glad that they are together; doing Lord’s work even now.
Jeff Tami Carl Strand says
Shawn, Whitne,y Dallas and families, It was so cool to meet your dad a few years ago in Las Vegas. He was a character, even though we did not know him very well we could tell he was caring. His obituary tells how much he did for his family and community to show Love and support. It is not easy losing parents but to have the memories to cherish and talk about them around family and friends makes it so much easier. Thoughts and Prayers going out to all his family. Need anything do not be afraid to ask. The strands