Barbara Jo Curtiss, 64, LaCrosse area resident and business owner, passed away on January 14, 2016 at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20 at the LaCrosse Community Club with a reception to follow.

Barb was born on November 22, 1951 to Robert & Doris (Coonrod) Strong in Seattle, Washington. She was raised in Oak Harbor, Washington and graduated high school there in 1970. She attended courses to become a paralegal but, being the free spirit she was, decided to pursue other opportunities. She met Keith Curtiss and the couple married in Oakville, Washington on July 24, 1982 in a ceremony on the front lawn of the old pioneer home where they lived at the time.

During their marriage, Keith and Barb moved around quite a bit as new and exciting opportunities arose for them. Barb embraced the title of "Cowboy's Wife" and she stood faithfully by Keith's side in all their endeavors for 35 years. Although they moved quite frequently, Barb considered LaCrosse her true home. She loved the community and the people.

Barb's true passion, or some might say a calling, was cooking and gardening. She will be remembered by her family for her delicious pork chops with homemade BBQ sauce, her chili rellenos, macaroni salad and, most of all, her cinnamon rolls. Her lifelong dream was to own her own café, a dream she realized in September of 2014 when she opened the Route 26 Café in downtown LaCrosse before her health forced her to close in March 2015. She was an artist in her heart and enjoyed crafts, quilting and sewing, drawing and painting. One of her greatest joys was tending to her beautiful yard, flowers and garden; Spring could never come fast enough for her.

She was one of a kind, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a strong sister and a beautiful daughter.

Barb is survived by her husband Keith at the family home in LaCrosse; son Chad (Rachel) Humphrey of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Heidi (Chad) Gray and grandchildren (Dillon and Makenna) of Lancaster, California; mother Doris Strong of Auburn, Washington and sister Deb (Myke) Murphy of Woodbury, Minnesota. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Strong, and siblings Jan Arnett and Bob Strong.

Memorial contributions in Barb's honor are suggested to Faye's House, 7394 Hwy. 291, Ford, WA 99013. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Faye's House for their care of Barb while she was undergoing treatment and to Gentiva Hospice for their care of Barb in her final days.

Bruning Funeral Home & Crematory of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.