James Curto

James "Jim" P. Curto, age 82 of Melrose died Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 12 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Rev. Vincent Lieser and Rev. Al Stangl will concelebrate with interment following at 2 pm in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Military honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard and the Valhalla Detachment Marine Corp League of St. Cloud.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Knight of Columbus and Christian Mothers will pray at 6 pm followed by the Valhalla Detachment Marine Corp League at 6:30 pm parish prayers at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

James Curto was born in Hibbing, MN to Angelo and Louise (Ethier) Curto. Jim graduated from R. L. Downing High School in Keewatin. He was in the CCC Camp, Company 1724 in Deer River. Jim served in World War II as a member of the Marine Corp in the Pacific Theater from 1942-1945. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Grahek on June 29, 1946 in Keewatin, MN. He was employed with M.A. Hanna Mining Company in Keewatin. In 1949, he was employed with the MN Highway Patrol for 33 1/2 years and retired as Sergeant in July of 1982. He was in the Army National Guard, HQ First Battalion, 136th Infantry. Jim was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Keewatin VFW, Keewatin American Legion, Valhalla Detachment Marine Corp League of St. Cloud, Nashwauk Knights of Columbus, Council 5283 and Retired Police and Peace Officers Association.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Curto of Melrose; children, Pat Curto and his wife, Pam Krueger of Royalton, Dolly Curto of Aurora, CO, Nancy Peters and her husband, Greg of Salem, OR, Jeannie Curto of St. Cloud, Diane Brum and her husband, Mike of St. Cloud, Toni Borgerding and her husband, Joe of Elrosa, Brandan Curto and his wife, Mary of Avon, Char Darlington and her husband, Jim of St. Augusta , and Jimmy Curto of Keewatin; 27 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; sister, Jean Rebrovich of Melrose and Tamarack, FL.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Angelo and Louise Curto; infant son, Angelo Curto, sister, Verna Bardine; and one grandson, Carl Borgerding.

Serving as casket bearers will be Shawn Chavez, Chris Chavez, Mitchell Brum, Dan Brum, Ryan Borgerding, Taylor Curto, Dylan Curto, and Brent Curto. Serving as cross bearer will be Danny Borgerding and scripture bearer will be Nicholas Darlington. Honorary bearers will be Retired Highway Patrolmen.