Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

H. Curtis Larsen, age 99, of Meeteetse, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at West Park Hospital, Cody, WY. Curtis was born to Helen Hagbery Larsen and Henry C. Larsen May 31, 1916, on the family ranch on Wood River southwest of Meeteetse, Wyoming. He attended grade school at the Dick Creek School. Following eighth grade graduation he went to work on the family ranch, where he remained the rest of his working life chronicling the decades with daily journal entries and countless photographs.

Curtis rodeoed during his younger years, riding saddle broncs in the 30's and 40's. Many have said that he could have made a career in rodeo, but he felt he was needed on the ranch. He was an exceptional horse hand. He both loved and respected them and had high regard for their role in the work of the ranch. Curtis did not embrace the ranch's transition from horse power to the machine age and resisted the change as long as he possibly could. For many years after the haying was done primarily with tractors and machine, Curtis could be found scatter raking the fields with a favorite team of horses and a dependable dump rake. Despite the ranch having cars and trucks, Curtis did not learn to drive until he was past 30. When he finally decided that he would take on the task he often reacted to the need to slow down or stop the vehicle by hollering "whoa" rather than stepping on the brake and clutch. However, he was quite upset when he had to give up driving in his late 90's due to failing eyesight.

Being a cowman was a second nature for Curtis. He had a great understanding of livestock and how they should be handled. He recognized individual cows, knew their habits and could get a cow to do anything he wanted with calm and uncanny ease. Curtis epitomized the American Cowboy: hard working, hard playing, with generosity and a willingness to help others. He loved to tell stories of the life he had lived and always did so accompanied with a hearty laugh that captured those listening. Curtis was also an avid letter writer and kept distant family and friends abreast of all that was happening on the Wood River ranch in his vivid style.

Curtis married Retta Niles in 1952. She passed away in 1985. He was a past member of the Meeteetse Cattlemen's Association and Wyoming Stockgrowers Association. On September 27, 2015 he was honored by his induction into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame along with his late brother, Ralph.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Retta; brothers, John and Ralph; sister, Ethel Moody and sister-in-law, Janet Larsen . He is survived by brother-in-law, John "Jay" Moody; two nephews; Dr. Mervin (Nada) Larsen and Jay R. (Connie) Moody, and four nieces; Helen Larsen (Doug Pearce), Karen (Dr. Bill) Gould, Sharen (Randy) Kruger, Linda "Abby" (Richard) Herman, their families, and a multitude of close friends.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Curtis' life will held at a later date. Memorials in Curtis' name can be made to the Chase Hawks Memorial Association, the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame, or a charity of your choice.