Wayne Curtis
Wayne Curtis passed away peacefully January 8, 2022 nine months after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Brain Cancer. Like always, his determination, positive attitude, and treatment of others through this personal crisis was exemplary of who he is at the core. His faith in God’s plan and fearless approach, should the end come to his mortal journey, has been one of the many lessons he left behind for all of us.
Wayne Stromberg Curtis was born on May 12, 1962 in Afton, Wyoming, the third of six children born to Martha Stromberg Curtis and Clyne Anderson Curtis. His mother says he was a calm, peaceful child and was the easiest person to raise, even though he was always getting into things!
Wayne graduated from Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho and served a faithful mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tallahassee, Florida mission. After his mission he returned to Rexburg and enrolled in Ricks College as a geology major. He began working in restaurants when he was 16 and found that he had an affinity for the work. He combined his skills with his entrepreneurial spirit and, along with his lifelong friend and business partner Randy Clegg, helped found Apple Spice, a catering and box lunch delivery service. Wayne was a master at planning and executing anything to do with food and Randy was the sales and marketing guru. Together they built the company and then began franchising their business across the United States. Wayne loved Apple Spice and it was rare to see him when he wasn’t wearing one of his Apple Spice shirts; he wore one till the day he died.
Wayne was an adventurer and had an extreme love of the outdoors that he came by honestly from his father. He was raised fishing, camping, motorcycle riding, snowmobiling and backpacking, and he loved to do all of them as much as he could. As a young man, he backpacked the northern part of the West Coast trail on Vancouver Island with his parents; it was just one of many amazing trips he went on. He loved mountain climbing, and in his lifetime, he climbed on five of the seven tallest mountains in the world, including Mt. Everest. These adventures took him traveling all over the world. Closer to home, he led a yearly hike to summit Mt. Timpanogos with his children, cousins, and anyone else who wanted to join, and it was always a special treat to climb at night and summit as the sun came up.
Wayne was also an avid fisherman and loved his yearly trips to Alaska with Randy, fishing for salmon. Many cherished memories were made with family members and friends they took along during those trips.
Wayne had two beautiful children, Alex and Kat, from his first marriage, and in 2009 he met and married the love of his life, Kristen Ashworth and gained three amazing bonus daughters, Kambrylee, Bryanna and Jaycilyn. Wayne often said that being the children’s father and Kristen’s husband was the joy of his life and the best thing he’d ever done. He loved them so much, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. They settled down to a busy life in Highland, Utah, which consisted of soccer games, basketball games, concerts and all the other activities of raising kids. Wayne and Kristen loved to travel. However, his favorite place to go was the Ashworth compound in Gunlock, Utah with his family and extended family. The family time spent there was truly wonderful. Wayne was known for his quick wit, humor, and famous “Dad Jokes” and amazing food.
Wayne was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed many callings in connection with the church, but his favorites by far were going on Trek, cooking for girl’s camp and snowmobiling with the young men. He and Kristen loved doing any job that needed doing and were always willing to serve, and this was something they always did together. He had a powerful testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His Gospel and was always willing to share it with others. He knew the plan of salvation and lived his life accordingly. We are all so blessed because of his example of faithfulness and his willingness to serve others.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Kristen Hansen Curtis, of Highland, Utah, and their five children, Kambrylee Hansen, Alexander Curtis, Bryanna Hansen, Jaycilyn Hansen, and Ekaterina Curtis, his mother Martha Stromberg Curtis of Lehi, Utah, and four of his siblings, Anna-Lisa (Tod) Curtis Murray, Linnea (Ben) Curtis Baggett, Alison Ainge, and Michael (Melanie) Curtis. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyne Anderson Curtis, and his older brother, Clyne (Colleen) Stromberg Curtis.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the Highland 42nd Ward Building, 11605 North 6000 West, Highland, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the church and again on Saturday from 11:00 to 12:30 pm prior to the services. Interment will be at the Highland City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Dominican Starfish Foundation with the Founder Louise Zobell as we are raising funds for a new home to be built for a family in Dominican in Wayne’s honor. https://dominicanstarfish.com (Please Note: Wayne Curtis Home Building Project)