Stella Dorothy Curry

Stella Curry, age 96, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Marshall. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A reception for attendees will follow at the AmericInn Hotel. Interment will then be at 3:30 p.m. in the Butterfield Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her celebration at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday at the funeral home.

Stella Dorothy Sokolofsky was born on February 4, 1927, to David and Marie (Heintz) Sokolofsky in a rock house on the family farm near Heil, North Dakota. She attended country school until the 8th grade when she had to start working on the farm. Stella always regretted not getting to graduate and she later earned her GED after she moved to Marshall, Minnesota. Stella was baptized at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Heil and was then confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Carson, North Dakota. Through Rocky Ledge Baptist Church, on August 30, 2006, at age 79, she reaffirmed her faith by full submersion in Bull Shoals Lake in Protem, Missouri.

Stella was very active in both the Butterfield and Marshall Presbyterian churches, serving in many capacities. Her strong faith in God carried her through all circumstances in her life. She often talked about how hard life was on the family farm during the depression but tackled whatever obstacle came across her path all through her life, with the help of her faith.

At age 16, Stella went to live with her sister, Lydia, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. She helped to care for her twin daughters while Ed served in WWII. Stella worked various jobs in Mountain Lake and after the war, went to work at Butterfield Produce where she met Mr. Glen L. Curry. They were married on Oct. 24, 1947, and continued to live in Butterfield until 1969 when they relocated to Marshall. She and Glen raised two children: Gail and Bradley.

Her many interests included sewing apparel, crocheting beautiful doilies, gardening, canning and especially cooking and baking. Stella primarily enjoyed spending time with her family, yet she made friends easily and someone was always dropping in for coffee and some of her homemade goodies.
Stella held various jobs including Butterfield Produce, Weiner Produce, the County Fair bakery, and as a Schwan’s taste-tester in Marshall.

In her 80s, Stella moved into Hill Street Apartments and was very involved in various activities there until her health declined. Stella lamented having to leave her many friends. On Feb 7, 2021, just four days after her 94th birthday, a fall in her apartment and eventually that led to a new home at Heritage Pointe. Even though her memory was fading, she always asked about Shelby (Gail & Rod’s German Shepherd) every day & enjoyed visit from her.

Stella died peacefully at Heritage Pointe Senior Living on Sunday, March 26, 2023. She reached the age of 96 years, 1 month, and 22 days. Blessed be her memory.

Stella is survived by her children, Gail (Rodney) Hanson of Protem, MO, Bradley Curry of Glenwood; granddaughter, Jennifer (Ryan) VanderWal of Volga, SD; great-granddaughter, Cheyenne VanderWal of Volga, SD; brother-in-law, Jerry (Hilare) Klose of St. Cloud; sister-in-law, Garnet Sokolofsky of Bismark, ND; several nieces, nephews, friends and her grandpuppy, Shelby.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glen; sister, Lydia Schriock; brothers, Victor Sokolofsky, Dave Sokolofsky, Walter Sokolofsky, and Donald Sokolofsky.