Leigh R. Curran

Leigh R. Curran, 97, of 62 Lakeview Drive, died Thursday (January 8, 2004) at the Nora Springs Care Center. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia, with Rev. Jim Stiles and Rev. Jo Frahm-Watkins officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Masonic Services at 7:00 PM conducted by Benevolence Lodge #145 A.F. & A.M. Memorials may be given to the Leigh R. Curran Memorial Fund. Leigh was born May 28, 1906 in Cambridge, Illinois the son of John L. and Almeda (Nordstrom) Curran. The Curran family moved to Mason City in 1911. Leigh attended school in Mason City and would later attend Hamilton Business College and Iowa State University. He married Dorothy Foster March 10, 1937 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Leigh farmed Southeast of Mason City for many years and was also in the cattle breeding business. Leigh was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he served on various committees, Mason City Rotary Club for over 50 years, was named Master Farmer in 1947, Iowa cattleman of the year in 1970, served on the North Iowa Fair Board for nearly 67 years, was Fair Board Treasurer for almost 32 years, served as Fair Board president for 18 years, farm bureau, was an Iowa senator for 8 years, state representative for 2 years, Mason City Foundation Board, past secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Polled Hereford Association, board of directors First National Bank for 25 years, North Iowa Medical Center Board of Directors, past president of North Iowa Production Credit Association, served 2 terms on the Mason City Riverfront Commission, county Red Cross chairperson and an original 4-H youth leader in Cerro Gordo County. Leigh was also a member of Benevolence Lodge #145 A.F. & A.M., White Shrine and Eastern Star. Leigh is survived by his wife, Dorothy Curran of Mason City; 3 daughters, Kaye McDonald of Moraga, CA, Jane Burley of Eden Prairie, MN, Gail Curran of Alexandria, VA; granddaughter, Michelle Smith and husband A.J. of Louisville, KY; grandson, Curtis McDonald and wife Mary of Pleasant Hill, CA; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Lucile Cannon of San Diego, Ca; brother, J. Benjamin Curran of Mason City; 2 sister-in-laws, Doris Curran of Lincoln, NE, Therese Curran of Mason City; many nieces and nephews. Leigh was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Lester and Charles; 3 sisters, Grace Whisler, Loetta Martin, Blanche Fiedler; son-in-law, Robert Burley.

Visitation:
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on January 11, 2004 (map/driving directions) 5:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on January 9, 2004 (map/driving directions)

Service:
1:30 PM at First United Methodist Church on January 12, 2004 (map/driving directions)