Curtis Jon Panther

Curtis Jon Panther, 53, Excelsior, MN passed on October 25, 2023, at his home, due to complications with cancer.

He was born on July 7, 1970, in Davenport, Iowa, to Clifford and Sharon Panther. Never married, he leaves behind his mother, Sharon Panther and two brothers, Jeffrey Panther and Barton Panther. Clifford Panther, father and Scott Panther, brother, preceded Curtis in death and he has been reunited with them in Heaven.

Curtis was an extremely successful fisherman and active deer hunter. He lived the majority of his life in The Land of 10,000 Lakes and pursued an endless journey to explore as many lakes as he could while catching more walleye, musky and bass than any sole alive. Fresh, pan-fried fish, coupled with tater tots was his favorite meal. When the leaves started to turn and covered the forest floor, the Fall season means the Rut is on. Scouting the wild, deep woods was a second love. Disappearing into the background and getting invisible for a beautiful buck to walk by became a second obsession. Let’s not forget the ice fishing. Getting on a school of massive crappies was a dream for Curtis. Sometimes a rod in each hand and catching 2 crappies at once. The frequent harsh Minnesota weather never kept Curtis from doing what he loved. He embraced the frigid Minnesota temps and launched the boat in rain or snow.

When the fish weren’t biting or the deer weren’t moving, just to be out on the sky-blue waters or on a hike in the untouched deep woods, with dew still on the prairie grass, was a true glimpse of what heaven might be like.

Curtis has been fishing since a young child. He was trained by the BEST: A little lady wearing a straw hat on Grindstone Lake in Wisconsin; Grandma Millie Panther. A connection that stayed with him for life.

When not spending time in the outdoors, Curtis enjoyed the field of Numismatics or reading a good, John Grisham book. Curtis kept his Catholic faith and maintained communication with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mass on Saturday or Sunday: it depended on the Minnesota Vikings’ schedule and the lunar wildlife feeding calendar. As a Minnesota Viking season-ticket holder, Curtis bled purple and Gold………SKOL!

There will be a memorial visitation from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM with a rosary at 11:30 AM on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave. Rock Island, IL. Private entombment will be at the Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations and memorials to any of the following: † U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Moline, (309-757-5800); † Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation, Rock Island, IL (www.rimef.org) † St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island, IL (309-793-7373) Ext 211; † American Cancer Society, (800-277-2345).

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