Carmen Rae Curtiss

Carmen Rae Curtiss (Williams), age 85, went to heavenly home on November 30, 2025. She passed away peacefully at Good Shepherd Hospice in Winter Haven, Florida. Carmen was born at home on Boston Street on March 13, 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was the daughter of William and Vivian (Kessler) Williams.

She attended Caledonia and Dorr Schools in Kent County, Michigan and graduated from Lake Odessa High School, Ionia County, Michigan with the class of 1960.

On August 6, 1960, Carmen married Larry Robert Curtiss of Lake Odessa, Michigan. They were married for 63 years.

She was a lifelong helper for several farming neighbors, church, family, and community members.

She provided care while working at the Ionia Manor, Hospice Volunteer, providing transport and support to appointments, assisting community members in locating extended care facilities and in-home assistance, and providing meals to those recovering from illness or those experiencing a loss.

Carmen was an active member of the West Berlin Wesleyan -Pathway Church in Lake Odessa, Michigan.

She enjoyed playing games with friends and family. She especially enjoyed riding her bike around her Winter Haven, Florida park and on the farm with her great-grandkids, Ryker and Lydia. In her youth, she played basketball and was a softball pitcher. She enjoyed helping her granddaughter, Dawn, with perfecting her basketball shooting and her great-granddaughter, Julia, with practicing softball skills. She enjoyed many sports such as basketball, football, softball, and many others.

She made beautiful Diamond Art pictures that are treasured gifts to loved ones and friends. She gifted family members with Annual Christmas Photo Calendars filled with joy, memories, and gatherings.

She made Memory Scrapbooks for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

There was often giggling and stories with her sister Mary and daughter Debbie while doing dishes, running errands, or any everyday activity.

She encouraged and supported her family in whatever adventure they pursued.

Surviving Carmen are her children who adored her, Deborah A. (Curtiss) & Paul Phillips of Apalachin, New York and Larry Raymond Curtiss of Lake Odessa, Michigan; Grandchildren Dawn Carmen (Phillips) & Jeremy Carsman of Thornville, Ohio and Larry Ryan Curtiss & Kayla Burns of Lake Odessa, Michigan; Great-grandchildren Julia Ann Carsmen & Larry Ryker and Lydia Raeann Curtiss; Sister Mary (Williams) & Roy Copeland of Jacksonville, Florida, Brothers Donald & Wanda Williams of McAllen, Texas, William Williams of Louisville, Kentucky, and John & Barb (VanLan) Williams of Buckley, Michigan; Several Nieces and Nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Larry Robert Curtiss, parents Vivian (Kessler) & Williams Williams, daughter-in-law Elsie Curtiss, brother Dennis Lulofs, and sister Beverly (June Williams) Lawson, sister-in-law, Marie Williams.

The funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Pathway A Wesleyan Church with Pastors John Williams and Bart Denny officiating. Interment will be at Clarksville Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Pathway A Wesleyan Church Ebenezer Center and will also be held one hour prior to services.

Those wishing may make memorial contributions to, Gideon's International, or Winding Creek Camp. Arrangements are in care of Lake Funeral Home in Ionia. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com.