Curtis E. Bye

Curtis Erling Bye, 66, of Moorhead died Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at his lake home in Park Rapids, MN after a short but hard fought battle with cancer.

Curt was born April 12, 1953 in Fargo, ND to Erling and Orriss (Amundson) Bye. He grew up on a cherished Rustad, MN farm and attended school in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1971. He completed a short stint at Moorhead State before earning a degree in Sales and Marketing from Moorhead Tech in 1973. On May 15, 1999 he married Cindy Bekkerus in Moorhead, MN.

Curt was a dedicated farmer who worked construction in the off-season and eventually took sales roles at Finley Motors and Truck Utilities. He was a mainstay at Big Iron and loved sharing his passion for tractors and trucks with his grandchildren. When his children were younger, Curt nurtured their love for baseball and softball on the local Rustad teams being a coach or their biggest fan, never missing a game.

Curt loved his time at his happy place: the lake, being on the water on his boat and later pontoon, pulling the grandkids tubing, and spending time with family and dear friends. Curt was the first to show up when a project needed to be completed with his tool belt neatly organized around his waist. He often built items around the house or lake but loved when any of his children had a “project” for him; researching, measuring, and building to perfection any number of cherished items. He loved to serve his community and passionately served as an usher and a council member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. He so looked forward to serving his famed, and often requested, breakfast sandwiches with the house busting at the seams with family when he would make his favorite holiday dish of r⌀mmegr⌀t to serve unsuspecting victims at Christmas. Loaded with cinnamon and sugar, Curt and a select few would eat multiple bowls of the Christmas treat while trying to convince newcomers of the deliciousness of the pudding. Curt’s laugh was infectious and often ended in tears running down his cheeks. He was truly one of the good guys.

Curt is survived by his wife, Cindy, Moorhead; his children Bryan (Cheri) Bye, Lakeville, MN; Jodee (Tom) Iten, Rogers, AR; Kayla (Alan) Jamijian, Moorpark, CA; Mike (Anna) Haarstad (Brainerd, MN); Heather (Nick) Olson, Plymouth, MN; 10 grandchildren, Quinn and Paige Bye; Addison, Tyler and Jaxon Iten; Mason and Cora Jamijian; Heidi and Hazel Haarstad; Lily Olson; two sisters , Bev (Frank) Cordahl, Fargo, ND and Sharon Boen, Littleton, CO; extended family and countless friends. Curt is preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Gordon and Rosalynn  Bekkerus.

The family of Curt Bye would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley for their kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 9, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial service will be Wednesday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m., in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.