Curtis Lahti

Curtis Arthur Lahti, 77, passed away on Jan. 18, 2022, with his family by his side in Glendale, Ariz.  

Curtis is survived by his wife Ardy after 54 years of marriage; son Curtis and Whitedove; grandson Kayuza; daughter Nicole and Rick Curtis; grandchildren Alyssa, Kyler and Kynzee; son Tyson and Theresa; and grandchildren Nathan, Will, Lucas and Anders; as well as Curtis’ sisters Audrey (Bob) Haymond and Alyce (Jerry) Lehtinen and their families.

Curtis was born to Eino and Alyce Lahti in Houghton, Mich., in 1944.

He spent his early years helping his father on the Lahti Dairy Farm.

His passion was baseball, and he played and coached throughout his life. He was an All-American pitcher for the University of Wisconsin-Superior, contributing to their WSUC championship team in 1966 and being inducted into the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

He continued to play with baseball teams after school, including a Double-A minor league team and many years with the Saukville Saints.

Curtis coached high school sports, mostly baseball at Ozaukee High School in Fredonia, Wis., for 20 years. He also coached summer youth baseball camps with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Curtis taught physical education for 27 years. Between coaching and teaching, Curtis influenced and kept in touch with his players and students throughout his career and retirement.  

Curtis enjoyed traveling with his wife Ardy and their dogs in their motorhome.

He was also active with his grandchildren while coaching and sharing his knowledge of baseball with them. He will be deeply missed.  

Curtis did not wish for a memorial to be held for him but rather to have his character passed on in those he influenced.  

2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”