Karrylle Jean Curnes

Karrylle Jean (Howerton) Curnes passed away May 15, 2015 in her apartment at Bishop Place in Pullman, Washington.

Born as “Carol” in Moscow, Idaho to Raymond and Margaret Howerton on Friday the 13th, June 1938 (to the consternation of her superstitious father). Carol early on changed the spelling of her first name to “Karrylle” to distinguish herself from the crop of other Carols in her high school classes.

She was an honors student at Moscow High School, Class of 1956 and a U of I graduate, (College of Education) Class of 1959. After university, Karrylle briefly taught high school English and Drama in Shelley, Idaho before marrying Gerald (Jerry) Curnes of Indianola, Iowa, (also a University of Idaho Graduate, College of Forestry) on July 1, 1960.

The newlyweds moved to Fernan Ranger Station in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, when Jerry began his career with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). While in Coeur d’Alene, the couple had their first child, Michael in 1962. Shortly after, the family was transferred to Thompson Falls, Montana. While there, they welcomed their second child Krista (Kris) in 1964. Their next move with USFS was back to Coeur d’Alene where they continued to grow their family with the birth of Jeffrey in 1968.

The family’s next USFS transfer was to Missoula, Montana for five years before getting transferred one last time to Grangeville, Idaho. While there, Karrylle was a piano teacher, a substitute teacher at Grangeville High School, and a librarian at the Centennial Library.

After their children graduated high school and went off to college, Jerry retired from USFS and the empty nesters moved back to Moscow where they were active U of I alumni attending most musical events on campus. A picnic table in their honour was dedicated and installed in the Arboretum where Jerry regularly walked through the woods admiring the trees and collecting stray golf balls, while Karrylle tirelessly swam 1000s of laps in the university pool. All three of their children attended U of I.

In addition to being a crafty homemaker, piano player, costume and prom dress seamstress, Karrylle was an avid reader, a lover of music, kites, whales, and the Oregon Coast.  Above all else, she was the best, most understanding and supportive mother in the whole world.

Karrylle was predeceased by her husband, both her parents and her younger brother, James Howerton. She is survived by her grieving children, Michael and his husband, Bernard; Kris and her wife, Sally; and Jeffrey and his partner, William.

In accordance with her wishes, a private graveside service for the family will be held at a future date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow and condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would be touched by donations made in Karrylle’s memory to the University of Idaho Music Department (208-885-6231).

“Maybe death isn’t darkness after all,

but so much light

wrapping itself around us—

as soft as feathers.” —Mary Oliver