Curtiss Paul Dotzenrod
July 25, 1943 ~ June 15, 2017 (age 73) 73 Years OldShare using:
Curt Dotzenrod, age 73, of Stewartville, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 15, 2017 surrounded by his loving family following pancreatic cancer complications.
Curtiss Paul Dotzenrod was born on July 25, 1943 in Montgomery, Alabama to Alvin and Mary (Plummer) Dotzenrod while his father was stationed at Gunner Field Army/Air Force base. He grew up in Spring Valley and graduated from High School in 1961. Following graduation Curt worked a couple summers for Libby’s and a car dealership running a spot light while attending electronic school in Austin, Minnesota where he was recruited by IBM. He was hired June 30, 1964 and started his career in Control Systems Packaging Development as an SLT circuit card layout designer.
Nine months into his IBM career Curt was drafted and served in the Sixth US Army USA Dental Service Medical Unit in Fort Ord, California. After his honorable discharge Curt returned to IBM and continued his 30-year career, retiring June 30, 1994 as an Electrical Engineer.
October 12, 1968, Curt married Joan Rosecke at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson, MN. The newlyweds settled in the Stewartville area where they have resided for over 48 years and raised a daughter, Allison, whom he dearly loved and adored. Golfing with Allison and Corvette cruising together were very special times.
Curt was a member of the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church, the Olmsted County Flying Club, Owatonna Hiawathaland Corvette Association, and Rochester Area Corvette Enthusiasts.
Curt had a deep interest in and knowledge of WWII history and aircraft. His favorite airplane was the P-38 Lightning. As a young teenager, Bernard Pietenpol of Cherry Grove gave Curt his first airplane ride which he thoroughly enjoyed. Curt loved flying and maintaining his own Cherokee 180 airplane. Curt & Joan both earned their private pilot licenses in 1973 and enjoyed many years of flying together. In 1992, Curt attended the Winona Technical College 2-year A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) program and earned his Aircraft Mechanic Certificate in 1994. Along with Curt’s deep interest in aviation, he & Joan also enjoyed many adventures which included riding motorcycles, driving their sports car convertibles, attending car shows, Big Band Jazz concerts, MN State Fair, traveling, ship cruises, living in the country and driving his tractors. He had an adventurous life.
Curt is survived by his wife of 48 ½ years, Joan; daughter Allison (Jesse) Coyle of Maple Grove, MN; mother Mary Ness of Spring Valley, MN; sister Carolyn Dotzenrod of LaCrosse, WI; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his father (Alvin Dotzenrod), step-father (Herb Ness), cousin (Rodney Terbeest, Glen VanGrevenhof and Donna Larson), nephew (Ben Zelinske), niece (Jenny Rosecke Nguyen), several aunts and uncles.
Curt’s family extends their gratitude to Brian & Tammy Meyerhofer, Norm & Betty Olson and Linda Rosecke for all their support, kindness, compassion and assistance towards Curt and his family as well as Season’s Hospice for their nursing care.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 18, 2017 from 4pm to 7pm at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley, MN and one-hour prior to the funeral service on Monday, June 19, 2017, 2pm at the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church in Cherry Grove, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Spring Valley Cemetery.