Mary Curran

Mary (Henry) Curran, age 91, passed away quietly Nov. 28, 2012 following a short illness. 

Born in Owatonna, Minn., on Nov. 26, 1921 to her parents, William and Lenna Henry, she spent most of her childhood years in Clear Lake, Iowa, where she graduated from high school. Mary then worked as

 sales clerk in a family business in Sparta, Wis., where she met and married Alwyn Curran in 1940.  A son, William (Bill) was born in 1942.  After Alwyn returned from military service in WWII, the family moved to the Elk Lake area.  Mary began working as a sales clerk at the Eau Claire J.C. Penney store where she made many, many friends over the course of 30 years there while Alwyn began a long career as a chemist at Uniroyal Tire in Eau Claire.  After Alwyn retired from Uniroyal in the late 1970’s, the couple moved to Elk Mound where Mary went into business for herself, buying the Gift Shop craft store and operating it for several years.  When Mary retired, the couple moved to Eau Claire where Mary lived until her passing, nearly 13 years after Alwyn’s death in 2000. 

Mary is survived by son, Bill; three grandchildren, John Curran (Sue Harrington), Clay Curran, and Shannon Keller (David); a sister, Betty Davis; special friends, Mary Jane (Wall) Nispel and Karen (Drehmel) Curran;  her best friend, Carol Carlstrom; and Jerry from Meals on Wheels whose kind assistance made it possible for Mary to remain in her home until the end.  

Mary was an active member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elk Mound and was the first woman elected to their parish board.  She also devoted many hours of her time volunteering at the Dunn County Health Care Center.  As an active member of the Elk Lake Garden Club for many years, her love of gardening was exceeded only by her lifelong love of birds. Beloved by her family and friends, she will be missed but never forgotten.  A private service will be held for the family in a cemetery near Hixton, Wis., where alongside Alwyn, Mary will rest in peace.