Curtis Stanly Hitchcock was born March 31, 1926 at Burke, South Dakota to Fred and Euphemia (Johnson) Hitchcock and he died November 30, 2006 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 80 years.

Curtis grew up on the family farm south of Jamison, Nebraska. He was baptized in the Jamison United Methodist Church and served the church his entire life. He attended Spotted Tail Country School south of Jamison and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1944. He was drafted into the military service following his graduation. He attended school in Buckley and Lowry Field, Colorado, training as a gunner on a B-29. Curtis spent two years in the Air Force and was discharged in June of 1946.

Following Curtiss discharge, he returned to the family farm, which was homesteaded in 1894. On August 24, 1947, Curtis was united in marriage to Margaret Peterson in the Jamison United Methodist Church. Reverend August Johnson, from Bristow, Nebraska, performed the ceremony. To this union five children were born.

They lived on the Hitchcock homestead until December of 2005, when they moved into the Haisch Haus for one month. Due to failing health, Curtis became a resident of the Beverly Healthcare Center at Armour, South Dakota.

Curtis was an active member of the 4-Corners Rod & Gun Club, Spotted Tail Cemetery Board and the Spotted Tail School Board. He enjoyed his grandchildren's school and sporting activities. He was an advocate for conservation practices like planting trees for windbreaks. He enjoyed irrigating, ranching and farming with such a love for animals, especially cattle. He also enjoyed trapshooting, hunting and bowling.

Curtis is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children: Dianne and husband Jim Buryanek of Burke, SD; Sandra and husband Lee Odenbach of Taylor, NE; Vernon and wife Pam of Newport, NE; Victor and wife Diana of Newport, NE; JaNell and husband Bob Gnirk of Sterling, ND; 12 grandchildren: Jamie, Jessica (Ron), Jed, Chet (Carey), Torrey, Clint (Rachel), Riley, Heath, Latisha, Bart, Garth, and Chance; 6 great-grandchildren: Amanda, Kyle, Kylee, Ashley, John, and Hunter, and numerous relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 1:30 PM at the Civic Center in Burke. Burial will be in the Spotted Tail Cemetery, Jamison, Nebraska. Vistation will be Sunday with a 5:30 PM prayer service at the funeral home.