Deborah Curtis

Deborah Kay Meredith Curtis, (74), passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, at her home in Rexburg, Idaho, surrounded by her family.

Deborah was born on a warm spring day on May 30, 1951, in Coffee County, TN. She was the sixth of 12 children born to Walter and Henrietta Meredith. She had a lively and indomitable spirit from the get go, challenging others and pushing back with a fierce determination that remained a spiritual gift by her side for her entire life.

Education was important to her. She graduated from Isaac C. Elston High School in Michigan City, Indiana in 1969 where she was involved in many clubs and activities, and then continued on to Purdue University. She was the first of her family to attend college. Though she took a small break from her college education while raising her family, she later returned and earned her Associates Degree in Education from Ricks College in 1994. She instilled a passion for education in all her children, teaching them to love literature, history, museums, theatre, music, and to have a broad knowledge base. She especially loved her regular trivia sessions with “her Alex” and was an avid fan of Jeopardy.

While attending college, she met the love of her life and her eternal companion, Larry T. Curtis. Larry was enamored with the fiery, strong spirited, beautiful girl with green eyes and long brown hair. Deborah fell in love with the cheerful Idaho boy with blue eyes. She made him promise to give her blue eyed children before she agreed to marry him. They were married on July 14, 1973 in Lafayette, IN, and through a special letter signed by President Harold B. Lee, they were able to be sealed just four days later in the Logan, Utah temple. To that union they were blessed with six children: Jared Lee, Jacob Kimball, Lydia Kay, Joshua Snow, Aaron David, and Rachel Kathleen. Their wedding song “We’ve Only Just Begun” followed them through military moves, medical school & residency that took them to California, Washington, Indiana, Wyoming, and eventually back to Idaho. Larry loved telling people about how much Deborah was the driving force behind his successes, always seeing more in him than what he saw in himself, and reminding him of his great worth. (Though she was always happy to tease and humble him at the right moments too). Oh, how he loved to tease and harass her and would get a twinkle in his eye when doing so. She was his Irish lass from Tennessee, and he loved her with his whole heart. They made Teton Valley their home for 22 years before moving to Rexburg, Idaho in 2008 where they have remained since.

It was also at Purdue that she was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She met with a long list of missionaries, and asked many heartfelt questions, gaining a testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ that became unshakable. She was baptized a member in 1972 and remained a vigilant and devoted follower the remainder of her life. Her unshakable testimony of her Savior touched many hearts along her journey, and she carried it as a torch, unafraid to share it often. She served in many responsible callings and capacities within the church, but none she cherished as much as working with the youth in Sunday School and Young Womens, as well as working with the missionaries that served in their ward. She readily welcomed in the youth into her home, regardless of the time or hour. Her ability to converse, tease, verbally spar, reprimand, teach and guide created a safe haven that many sought refuge in. Her children sometimes wondered if she bribed their friends during their childhood, as those friends still continued to stop by to see Mom Curtis LONG after her kids were grown and gone.

Deborah was truly most proud of and in love with her family. Her family was her priority.

She would travel any distance and go to great lengths to be there for her children, grandchildren, and siblings. She attended hundreds of concerts, sporting events, recitals, and other performances, and though she needed her aisle seat every time, perhaps it was to be the first to hug the performer afterwards. Some of her favorite activities with her family were playing board games and card games, but especially, her passion was in music. She loved and encouraged the music that regularly permeated her home. Impromptu concerts were a regular event. Her last days and hours were filled with hours and hours of her family singing for her, including the Irish lullabies that she would sing for her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, loving mother and father in-law, Milon and Faun Curtis, her siblings; Bill, Frederick, Shari, Carol, and Steven. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Larry, her siblings; Walt, Celia, Andy, Patty & Georgia; her children & their spouses, Jared (Julianne) Curtis, Jacob (Jamie) Curtis, Lydia (Paul) Beck, Joshua Curtis, Aaron (Lindsay) Curtis, Rachel (Corban) Lindsay, an honorary son and his wife, Chris (Heather) Jonas; many grandchildren, and one great grandson who she was so thrilled to meet three weeks before her passing. They will always carry a piece of her heart and legacy with them forever.

Her family wishes to thank the many outpourings of love and acts of kindness and service they have received through this time. They also wish to thank all the many healthcare professionals and providers for their dignified care and devotion in her last days.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Rexburg East Stake Center, 387 S 4th E, Rexburg, ID. Those who wish to offer condolences may meet with the family from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. before the services, at the stake center, or from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at Flamm Funeral Home, 61 N. 4th E in Rexburg. The graveside service will take place directly following the funeral at the Rexburg Cemetery.