Violet (Vi) Curtis, 92, of Nampa went to be with Jesus, when she passed peacefully in her sleep at home on February 16, 2012, as she had always wanted. Born in Chewelah, WA on January 17th, 1920 to Olive (Hargenrater) and Murray Leighton, Vi was the oldest of three children. Her brother, Murray "Bud" Leighton, preceded her in death, and she is survived by her sister, Mary Carter, of Nampa. She was married in 1957 to John Curtis. They divorced in 1959, with no children. She lived and was educated in Colville, WA throughout her childhood, graduating from Colville High School in 1938. After graduating, she moved to Spokane, WA for a short time before settling in Nampa, where she attended NNC and pursued her degree in education. Upon receiving her BA in 1952, she began teaching Physical Education at NNC and was the dorm mother at Hadley Hall. She then taught Art at Meridian High School, while working to complete her Masters of Education from College of Idaho which she received in 1966. She was then a teacher and girls' counselor at Vallivue High School for several years. The remainder of her career was spent as a counselor at Nampa High School. She worked as a counselor for 5 years prior to her employment at Nampa High and as an art and English teacher for 15 years prior to becoming a counselor. Vi received many awards and accolades for her devotion to "her kids" during her career. She retired in 1983, in order to spend more time with her two young grand nieces who she had legal custody of for most of their childhoods. Vi loved to spend time outdoors, especially in the mountains, frequently fishing, camping and horseback riding and was an avid hunter. In 1963 she bought a large tract of land and built a home in South Nampa and established Rimrock Ranch, where she raised purebred cattle, first Charolais and later Simmental, and farmed alfalfa. She loved animals and often took in stray cats and dogs. She also enjoyed Bible study and art, especially drawing and painting. Several of her own works decorated her home. Aunt Vi, as she was known to most, was devoted to God and her family and could always be counted on to offer love and support to whomever needed it, often taking them into her home during tough times. While she had no children of her own, she had six nieces and two nephews and dozens of great grand nieces and nephews whose lives she was instrumental in and who loved her very much. She was an extremely hard worker with a great sense of humor and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. A public viewing with family in attendance will be held from 10:00 1:00 on Saturday, the 25th at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Avenue South, Nampa, Idaho. A private family service will follow, with internment immediately after at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Pet Haven animal shelter (PO Box 481, Nampa, 83653) which she was instrumental in establishing.

Service Information Visitation Saturday February 25, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel 415 12th Ave South Nampa, ID 83651 Private Committal