Curtis Blaine Haukom, 92, passed away on May 4, 2014, with his beloved family at his side in Brownsdale, Minn.

Curtis was born on April 7, 1922, the son of Benonie and Corella (Kaasa) Haukom in Dodge County, Minn. He lived in the Hayfield area until being drafted in the Army Air Force during WWII at the age of 20. As a member of the “Greatest Generation”, he was a nose turret gunner and a bombardier in a B-24 Liberator aircraft in the 392nd Bombing Group. He flew 32 missions over Europe where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. His flight crew held the record for “outstanding bombing accuracy”. He was discharged in September, 1945.

Curtis married Ardyce Elaine Kruger on April, 20, 1946, in the First Presbyterian Church in Hayfield, Minn. They recently celebrated their 68th anniversary. Their union was blessed with 10 children, six sons and four daughters. His family was his life, and many hours were spent with his 10 children, 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Curtis spent the early years of his marriage in the Hayfield, Lansing, and Kenyon areas, but eventually settled in Brownsdale where he lived for 60 years. He held various jobs throughout his life, developing many skills. He was the quintessential do-it-yourselfer, whether it was working on cars, doing electrical work, or remodeling a home, and he was very proud of his talent and his ability to ‘figure things out’. Curtis was employed at Hormel Foods in Austin, Minn., for 31 years. In retirement, he and Ardyce then spent the next 22 years wintering in Mission, Texas, and worked seasonally at Seneca Foods for a number of years.

Curtis is survived by his wife, Ardyce Haukom, Brownsdale, Minn.; children: Richard (fiancée Gail) Haukom, Rockland, Mass., David (Mary) Haukom, Colorado Springs, Colo., Charles (Pat Erichsen) Haukom, Mankato, Minn., Larry (Nancy) Haukom, Albert Lea, Minn., Melinda (Doni) Haugstad, Hayfield, Minn., Marsha (Arlin) Brigham, Kasson, Minn., Susan (Mike) Senjem, Hayfield, Minn., James (Darlene) Haukom, Rochester, Minn., Joan (Brad) Pater, Rochester, Minn., Terry (Bonnie) Haukom, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. His grandchildren are Kristen (Brian) Croke, Matt (Jenny) Erichsen, Lisa (Joe) Lee, Laura (Koen) Luinstra, Travis (Crissy) Haugstad, Jeremy (Brandy) Haugstad, Rebecca (Mike) Halvorson, Michael (Emily) Brigham, Dustin (Katie) Senjem, Crystal (Karl) Juergensen, Jamie Haukom, Jesse Haukom, Katie (Gabe) Christenson, Katrina Haukom, and Joshua Haukom. He was also blessed with many great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Brett, and Matt Croke, Kolbe, Kade, and Kamden Luinstra, Jakob Haugstad, Millie Haugstad, Chelsea Halvorson, Whitney Brigham, Grace, Isabelle, Sophia, and Brecken Senjem, Noah Juergensen, and Faith Christenson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Helen Ruport; three brothers, Truman, Orten and Verlyn.

The memorial service for Curtis Blaine Haukom will be 2 p.m. May 7, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Brownsdale, Minn., with the Rev. Sharon Goetzinger officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale, Minn., with military honors by the Hayfield American Legion Post No. 330. Blessed be his memory.

Czaplewski Family Funeral Home in Hayfield, Minn., is in charge of arrangements. www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com.