Mary Jo (Rapp) Curtis

Was born on November 12, 1943, at Roseburg, Oregon, to parents, Harry and Eileen (Norton) Rapp. She passed away on Friday, October 17, 2008, at Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco, Washington, at the age of 64. Mary Jo was raised in Roseburg and graduated high school there. She married Bert Wilson Curtis in Reno, Nevada, in 1964. They lived in Brownsville, Portland, Salem, Oregon, before moving to Hermiston in 1976. It was in Hermiston where Mary Jo raised her two children, Patrick and Beth Ann- appreciating their accomplishments and talents. Wherever they were living, Mary Jo set about making a peaceful and lovely home. Her wonderful homemaking abilities coupled with her serene, gentle manner and gift of hospitality established a sense of welcome and peacefulness. She loved spending time at their cabin near Meacham where she created a refuge of comfort and hospitality. She will always be remembered for her ability to produce a scrumptious meal with only a moment's notice for whatever friend might drop in. Mary Jo attended the Hermiston Church of the Nazarene. Having trusted in Christ as her personal savior, she is right now enjoying His fellowship. Her greatest desire would be for all to come to know Jesus as Savior and spend eternity with her in heaven. She enjoyed crafts, gardening, sewing, and was an excellent cook. Mary Jo was such a wonderful and faithful friend. She was helpful, kind, loyal, generous and loving. She was a natural teacher and was always willing to help others in learning a skill. Mary Jo worked as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk in the Hermiston, Echo, Umatilla, Oregon, and Marcola School district offices. She was the office manager for R. A. Carpenter, MD and for Dobyns-Hart Pest Control. She worked part-time for Hermiston Aviation, Inc.. She was always organized, diligent and productive and left her areas of influence more organized and beautiful than before. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Bert Curtis at their home Southwest of Hermiston; son, Patrick Curtis and his wife, Robyn of West Richland, Washington; Daughter, Beth Ann Curtis and partner, Patrick Gudmundson of Lake Tapps, Washington; brothers, Bob Rapp of Roseburg; Phillip Rapp of Prineville, Oregon, and Gene Rapp of Lake Havasu, Arizona; sisters, Nancy Van Schoiack of Cottage Grove, Oregon, and Margaret Ann Glynn of Vallejo, California; grandson, Russell Curtis of W. Richland, Washington; extended family, in-laws and friends who will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Eileen Rapp; brother, Stephen Rapp.



At Mary Jo’s request, there will be no funeral services. Disposition was by cremation. A “Potluck” gathering will be held on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 between 2:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. at the Hermiston Airport Terminal Building in Hermiston.



Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.