Laurada was born on June 10, 1931.  She was the youngest of three beloved daughters born to Paul and Henrietta Mudgett.  Laurada’s family were founding pioneers of the Rohnerville and Fortuna communities.  She was very proud of her family history and of all the contributions they made.

Laurada’s childhood was idyllic.  Summers were spent at the family cabin at Big Lagoon enjoying the ocean air, sunshine and hunting for agates.  She worked at the family business, Bowman’s Rexall Drugs and graduated from Fortuna High School in 1949.  She attended business school at Penn Hall, returning to Fortuna in 1951. 

Laurada married Roy Curless on her 25th birthday.  In 1959, they purchased the Hazelton Ranch on the outskirts of Fortuna and made it their home for 63 years.  Son John was born in 1961, followed by daughter Mary in 1965.  Family meant everything to Laurada.

The third week of July was always spent participating in the Fortuna Rodeo and the week-long activities - an event the family has been involved with for many years.  Following Rodeo Week were the yearly camping trips to Loon Lake where the family spent the days waterskiing and making life-long friends.  Those vacations are fondly remembered for mom’s Harvey Wallbangers, taco salad and beer-berry pancakes.  Christmas was a favorite time for Laurada as the entire family gathered at the Mudgett house.  There was always lots of laughter and gin fizzes to go along with the gifts.  Laurada believed the greatest gift was being with her family.

In 2006, Laurada was diagnosed with cognitive memory disorder – a precursor to dementia.  She endured a slow decline with the loving support of her family.  Thank you to the Patmore family, the staff at 1st Choice Assisted Living, Sequoia Springs Memory Care and to Hospice of Humboldt for providing Laurada with kindness and loving care in recent years.

Laurada was pre-deceased by her parents Paul and Henrietta Mudgett, her sisters and their husbands, Elinore and Darrel Palmer and Anne and Dusty Turner and her mother and father in law, Viola and Guy Curless.  Laurada is survived by her husband of nearly 66 years, Roy Curless, son John Curless and his wife, Valerie Hipkins, daughter Mary Curless Smith and her husband Grant Smith, grandchildren Joe Curless, Kate Curless and Shannon Smith.  Laurada is also survived by her nieces and nephews and their extended families.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Laurada Mudgett Curless to Hospice of Humboldt or Miranda’s Rescue. 

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Laurada’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.