Curtis Bylund Kjar passed away at his home in Manti surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of Feb. 10, 2022.
He was born on Sept. 11, 1942, in Salt Lake City to Ben and Ruth Bylund Kjar, one minute ahead of his twin sister, Maxine. When he was about two years old, the little family moved to Manti where he lived most of his days.
He started working at a very young age with his family on the farm helping as a teamster. He continued working hard the rest of his life in many capacities, including as a farmer, custodian and bus driver.
Curt attended schools in Manti and graduated from Manti High in 1960. While attending school and growing up, he made friends that remained very important to him his entire life. After graduation, he entered the National Guard and did basic training in Fort Ord in California. Upon returning from basic training, he held different jobs such as logging on the mountain, but his heart remained on the farm.
In 1979, he married the love of his life, Becky Duncan, in Manti, Utah. This ceremony was officiated by his father, Mayor Ben Kjar. Their marriage was later solemnized in July 1991 in the Manti Utah Temple. They were blessed with three children: Cashelle, Chris, and Lacey, who were his pride and joy.
Family was the most important thing in his life, and he wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. They have very good memories of times in the mountains, hunting, birthdays, holidays, being at the farm, vacations, and “Zinging” down Main Street. Later in life, he loved being “Pompa” to Maddie, Audrey, Thomas, Cody, Spencer, Jayleigh, Carter and Easton. He lived to watch them do things that they loved and was their biggest cheerleader. He is going to be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Becky; children: Cashelle (AJ) Larsen, Stansbury Park; Chris Kjar, Cedar City; and Lacey (Landon) Twitchell, Elsinore; his 8 grandchildren; and siblings: Maxine (Denton) Bramwell, Layton; Maree (Steve) Ohlsen, Payson; Lila (John) Ericksen, Mt. Pleasant; and Steven (Carol) Kjar, Manti.
Preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Ruth; in-laws, Byron and Dorothy Duncan; and brother-in-law, Dave Duncan.
The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Cary Judy, Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, Dr. Adrienne Carey, Dr. Marcus Mazur, Dr. Christopher Dechet, and the entire staffs of Gunnison Valley Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Hospital, and Encompass Rehabilitation Center, who gave us extra, precious time.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 at 11 a.m. in the Manti Tabernacle, where friends may call Thursday evening from 6-7 p.m. or Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in the Manti City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com.
