Katie Kakgailnguq Curtis, born June 24th, 1952 to November 22, 2024.
Katie Kakgailnguq Curtis, is preceded by her late parents, Phillip Nurataaq and Maria Cupugniralria Moses, her late paternal grandparents Angalgaq and Nalugaralria Moses, maternal grandparents, Aassanaaq and Mikngayaq Joseph (biological grandfather Amyagalria), her siblings, Ciquyaq Moses Moses, Arnaucuaq Simeon Jimmie, and Cakiculi Sarah Kashatok. And many departed aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her husband Richard, her children Ciquyaq Ryan (Terilyn Tulik), Cikigaq Kimberly (Alex Lopez), and Qiuryuar Jeffery. Her grandchildren, Cakiculi Sonya Stein, Ilanaq Yvainne Curtis, Tutmaralria Trinity Curtis, Mikngayaq Elena Curtis, Piiyuuk Isabella Lopez, Nanurrualek Deysi Lopez, and Nurataaq Richard Lopez. Her siblings, Qaivaralria Rosalie (Simeon) Lincoln, Imiin Paul (Virginia) Moses, Mikngayaq Molly (Eric M.) Creasey, Ciquyaq Susie (John W.) Moses, Arrsauyaq Charlene (Jonathan) Bosco, and Cingliaq Laverna (Paul) Johnston.
Katie’s coming and going was unique. She was born out in the Bering Sea in a boat, lived on the land she embraced, and passed on in air on her way home to Toksook Bay, Alaska.
Katie’s life was truly wonderful. She went to school in Nightmute, Alaska where she lived her young days and moved to Toksook Bay. She went to high school at the St. Mary’s Mission. After she completed high school, she went to the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she met her lifelong partner, Richard Curtis. Katie and Richard moved to Toksook Bay where they started their life together.
In her first job with LKSD she was the first librarian at the Nelson Island High School. Soon after, she became the cultural heritage teacher for many years until she retired. She accomplished many wonderful cultural arts and crafts, including storytelling using her handmade puppetry.
Some of her other crafts were skin sewing, beading, qaspeq-making, piluguq, fur gloves and countless number of traditional crafts. She also started the high school Yup’ik dance group that continues to this day.
She had a love of drawing. In her high school years, she made Christmas cards. She was an illustrator for some of the LKSD’s children’s Yup’ik books. Even some of her drawings won logos for different organizations. During her employment, she also became a lifelong member of the LKSD National Educational Union. She was a strong advocate for LKSD’s classified employees.
To Katie and Richard going out to nature was a happy and peaceful place to hunt, fish and forage the land together. Their children grew up in the subsistence way of life who in return learned to love and embrace it. They also loved to travel together to other places especially to Hawaii. She was devoted to her Catholicism. She continued to attend mass until her husband realized that Katie couldn’t sit still because of her disease. Richard, your dedication to taking her to church and always being there for her is truly appreciated. Thank you for your unwavering love and support.
As the eldest of the Moses siblings, Katie was a great role model who took good care of them by setting good examples in every aspect of life. We remember her as a happy person who loved to laugh with us especially during neqliq-ing and maqiq-ing time. She loved her children and grandchildren who grew up being a part of their rich and successful life. They worked hard and loved their families and friends from all over Alaska. She had full respect and love for her parents and grandparents including all her uncles, aunts and cousins. Katie’s husband, Richard, remembers her as his best friend and the love of his life.
“She will never be replaced by anyone.”
