CURTIS B. MAXWELL, SR., age 79, of Luverne, was born August 21, 1929 in Luverne to parents Gay and Ann (Soutar) Maxwell. He attended rural schools in Rock County and graduated from Luverne High School in 1947. After his schooling, he worked for Gay Maxwell & Sons Construction in Luverne and eventually started his own business as a masonary contractor. He also managed the Luverne Country Club for two years. Curtis was united in marriage to Vyonna Lou Anderson on December 28, 1949. They made their home in Luverne all these years until 2006 when they both became residents of the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. He died on Saturday morning at the Sanford Luverne Hospital in Luverne. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Curtis was also a member of the Luverne Volunteer Fire Department. He joined the department in 1957 and was assistant chief from 1965-1966. He became fire chief in 1967 and held that position for 13 years. Curtis was a charter member of the Fire Instructor Association of Minnesota and was a past president of the Southwestern Region Fire Fighters. He was also a member of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, a charter member of the Elks and Eagles Club in Luverne. Curtis enjoyed bowling, gardening, playing pool, golfing and his cabin on Lake Benton. Curtis died on Saturday morning, November 15, 2008, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital in Luverne. He is survived by his children, Curtis, Jr. (Sandy) Maxwell, Luverne; Linda (Dominic) Maras, Luverne; Dawn Maxwell (Bob Christiansen) Savage; Dan (Linda) Maxwell, Plymouth and Randy (Susan) Maxwell, St. Louis, MO; 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vyonna Lou Maxwell on May 27, 2008, two brothers and two sisters.