Curtis Burr Accola, age 77, of Rochester passed away peacefully at Cottagewood on December 9, 2016. Funeral services will be at 1:00pm on Wednesday, December 14, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior.  Visitation also at 4-7 pm on Tuesday evening at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home.

Curtis was born January 24, 1939, in LaCrosse, WI, to Elmer and Edna (Owen) Accola. He grew up on the family farm near Alma, WI, and graduated from Alma High and Winona State. He left college for a year  (1961) when his National Guard unit was activated.  He served that year at Fort Lewis, WA.

Curtis' career in education started at Jefferson School in Rochester, where he met the student teacher who became his wife.  He was a school counselor in Danube, MN; Alma, WI; and Grand Meadow, MN.  After retiring, he was a courier for Dunlap-Seeger Law Firm. He was also a part-time farmer for many years on the family farm.

Curtis married Julia Ann Hagen on July 22, 1967, in Hutchinson, MN. He was a supportive husband and father, especially when Julia went back to college and then to work.

He was a regular at the YMCA. When Parkinson's Disease made walking difficult, he bought an electric scooter and rode that around downtown in all kinds of weather.

Curt lived out his faith by helping those less fortunate. He volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and Dorothy Day House.  He helped start the Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise Rochester). He served on the Olmsted County Vital Aging Commission and as president of  his building's association.

Curtis is survived by his wife Julia; children Michael (Melanie) Accola and Jane (Chad) Myers; grandchildren Andrew, Katelyn, Elizabeth, Maria, and Charles; sisters-in-law  Beverly (John) Ambuehl, Kathleen Wenger, Marlene Hagen, Sharon (Richard) Olson, Patricia (Dennis) Kufahl, and Susan (Philip) Forcier; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn, brother Charles, brothers-in-law Stephen Wenger and James Hagen, and nephew/godson Scott Wenger.

Memorials preferred to Family Promise Rochester (IHN) or donor's choice. Online condolences at www.mackenfuneralhome.com