Helen Louise Curtis, 96, of Carthage, Il, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 3:10
AM at Wesley Village in Macomb, Il.
Helen Louise Hopkins Curtis was born on February 16, 1930, in Sterling, Illinois, to Vern
Harold Hopkins and Erma Viola (Hoak) Hopkins. She grew up on the family farm, where
from a young age she helped her brothers, Vernon and Donald, with chores and field
work after her father’s accident. These early experiences fostered her lifelong love of
horses, farm animals, and country living. She also enjoyed caring for and playing with
her sister, Ruth. Helen attended a one-room schoolhouse, a considerable walk from her
home, and graduated from Prophetstown High School in 1947.
Following high school, Helen worked in the office of a local grain elevator. In 1948, the
family purchased a farm and moved to Hancock County, where Helen met Robert “Bob”
Claude Curtis, who lived nearby. They married on February 3, 1952, and were blessed
with three children: Robert Alan, Ann Louise, and Lorraine Kay (Lori).
During Bob’s service in the Army, Helen worked at the REA in Carthage and at
Carthage College diner. After his return, they farmed the Curtis family farm
together until their son married, after which they moved to Bob’s parents’ home in
Bentley, where they spent the remainder of their married life. Helen cherished her years
on the farm, raising her children and enjoying countless family adventures. Through all
of this she managed to become quite the poet. She enjoyed writing poetry and had
many poems published in newspapers and magazines.
Helen was deeply involved in her community throughout her life. She served as a 4-H
leader for many years and was an FHA chapter mother at Carthage High School. She
participated in jury duty often, worked in voter registration for Harmony Township, and
contributed to the Carthage Extension Center’s Building and Grounds Committee,
including organizing fundraising for an addition to the center.
A longtime member of Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church in Bentley, Helen contributed in
many capacities over the years. She was a devoted mother to Alan, Ann, and Lori
(Marty), a loving grandmother to Tim (Amy) Curtis, Kim (Curtis) (Brett) Kniess, Brianna
Husband, Audra (Husband) (Sam) McQuaid, and Danielle Husband, and a cherished
great-grandmother to Colton, Bethany, Sam, Ben, and Judson Curtis, as well as Sterling
and Kaia McQuaid, and Zoe and Gemma Kniess. She was also a loving aunt to
numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, her siblings and their spouses, and her
beloved great-nephew Richie Hopkins, with whom she shared a special bond. Her
memory will live on through the love, joy, and devotion she shared with her family and

community.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Printy Funeral
Home in Carthage with burial following at Moss Ridge Cemetery. A visitation will be held
prior to the service starting at 9:00 AM. Memorials may be made out to St. Jude’s or
Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church in Bentley, Il. Printy Funeral Home in Carthage is
providing arrangements.