Darlene “Swede” LuEtta (Curtis) McCue was born on July 24, 1934, in Glasgow, MT, to Robert Bruce Curtis and Etta Mae “Micky” (Eby) Curtis. Darlene was recently diagnosed with ocular uveal melanoma with metastasis to her liver. However, Darlene’s passing on Monday, May 12, 2025, was due to an unfortunate incident at Campbell County Health, Gillette, Wyoming.
“I got the nickname “Swede” from my Daddy. When my hair came in white, he called me his little Swede, and it’s been Swede ever since.” “Some people call me ‘Darlene’ and some call me ‘Swede.’” From living in a dugout in the area of Flat Creek, MT, she began school in a one-room schoolhouse. At age 11, Darlene’s Daddy, while being contracted by the US Government to minimize the wolf population, the pilot and Daddy (the gunner), lost their lives to an unfortunate plane crash. Darlene and sister Carol were taken out of school for a plane ride – not any ole plane ride. They made sure they had a good time with dives and rolls, throwing toilet paper out the window to see how many times the pilot could cut the paper with the wing before it hit the ground, all in an effort to make sure the girls were not afraid of flying after the crash.
Their Mother rented a house for the girls in Jordan, so they could attend their freshman year of high school. Occasionally, they were able to go back home for the weekend or when someone could take them. Living on onion and mayo sandwiches, they finally convinced their mother into letting them live in the school dorm, where they resided throughout their remaining high school years. Losing their Daddy at such a young age, the children worked for neighbors or relatives to make ends meet or working in exchange for food or animals. Their pets were not your usual but it was not uncommon to adopt an orphaned bobcat or coyote pup as their pet.
Darlene graduated high school in 1953, Garfield County High School, Jordan, MT. She then moved to Billings, MT, and worked in photography until July 4, 1954.
Her dream was to marry a cowboy and live on a ranch and raise their own crops and livestock. On that Independence Day, while attending a wedding and then on to attend the Black Hills Roundup Rodeo, Belle Fourche, SD, she met her soon-to-be husband, Robert A. McCue. Short and sweet romance, they were married in Gillette, WY, on September 4, 1954. In 1961, they were blessed with a little boy, Robert Roland McCue. Shortly thereafter, Darlene lost her mother at an early age, due to ocular uveal melanoma and liver cancer. In 1967, they added a little girl, Catherine Nadine, and then in December 1968, a little girl arrived for Christmas, Debra Jean.
Following their union in 1954 and Robert’s service in the United Sates Marines, during the Korean War, Darlene and Robert worked for Robert’s father for six years, until they purchased their own ranch, mostly irrigated, at Leiter, WY. They were busy with farming, irrigating, raising cattle, sheep, horses. Additionally, they made the daily drive to also work the ranch of Robert’s father at Middle Prong, near Arvada, WY. They lived on their ranch at Leiter, WY, for 46 years, until Robert’s failing health. In 2000, they sold the ranch and bought a small acreage just at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, west of Buffalo, WY. Robert passed away in 2007. Darlene kept busy working at different places, including Photo Finish and H&R Block. It was then a friend talked about going to The Occidental Hotel & Saloon on Thursday nights where musicians came from all over to jam. Darlene learned that the jammers played for free, so she started baking cookies (90) weekly, only missing if she were out of town. This is where she met some of the best of friends.
She had a flavor of the free from zip-lining, roller coasters, tilt-a-whirl, any carnival rides – the faster they would spin the better. For her 90th birthday, she jumped out of a perfectly good airplane in Longmont, CO, and loved every minute. “So much fun.” She had planned to do it again in July.
“I would say that I have been blessed. I still have all of my teeth, a full head of hair, I do not need a walker, mow my lawn, fix fence, live in my own home, and I still drive my car, …loss of taste and smell, and I use hearing aides, and that’s it.”
Darlene’s siblings are Robert Glen Curtis (wife-Virginia), Ardienna Janet (Curtis, Robb, Oliver) (husband-Carl) Kretschman, Carolyn Nadine (Curtis, Kountz) (husband-Donald “Babe”) McDonald, infant Jimmy Dale Curtis, and step-brothers Allen Manley, and Dallas Gerald Manley O’Connor. Her surviving siblings are sister Carol and step-brother Dallas, and so many cousins.
Children of Darlene are Robert R. McCue of Buffalo, WY; Catherine (McCue) and husband Brent Nielsen of Hermosa, SD; Debra (McCue) and husband Steve Renneisen of Gillette, WY, and “bonus daughters.” Her grandchildren, Brittany Patrice (McCue) and husband Daniel Dye of Gillette, WY, and Tyler Cole McCue and wife Lorena of Boulder, CO. Great-grandchildren, Daxton Cole Dye and MD. “Bonus grandchildren” are Eric (Joanna) Dusseault, Dani (Steve) Anderson, Kyle (Sarah) Dusseault, Chelsie Dusseault, and Jamie (Dominic) Buono, and their respective children.
Everyone she met got a big hug from her. She loved being an authentic cowgirl, who worked right beside the toughest yet could shine up with her bling as a lady. She was a rancher/farmer foremost, she missed the ranch dearly.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Sunday May 18, 2025
The Playhouse
7 N. Main St.
Buffalo, Wyoming 82834
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 19, 2025
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower St.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Immediately Following the Funeral Service
Monday May 19, 2025
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Sunday May 18, 2025
The Playhouse
7 N. Main St.
Buffalo, Wyoming 82834
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 19, 2025
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower St.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Immediately Following the Funeral Service
Monday May 19, 2025
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Kay Davis Berdahl says
To Darlene’s family,
Sorry for your loss. Swede was pretty special to Bob. I have fond memories from being around her and Ardenna.
Janice Cook says
She was the very best aunt. She and I went on many adventures.
Karen Barnes says
I am so very sorry to hear about Swede passing – she was a great schoolmate and friend of many, many years – may all the good memories be a comfort to her family at this sorrowful time – she will be remembered by so many. God Bless all.
Hazel Stabler says
Carol and family. I am so sorry about Darlene. She was a very special person. The musicians at the Occidental Hotel will be missing some cookies. 🍪
RUTH says
carol so sad to hear this good memories from the school days
RUTH AND BILL GASS says
so sorry to hear about Darlene’s passing
Ada Tolar says
So sorry to hear of Darlene’s passing. She was a very special lady and always treated me so special. Even though I don’t live in Buffalo, I will miss her!
Jerry Twitchell says
Carol,
Sorry to hear about Swede.
Mike and Tammy Pecha says
So sorry for your loss.
Billie Thomas says
Bobby, Cathy and Debbie. I can only imagine how much you will miss your wonderful mom. Swede has gone over the divide, but she left her spirit and essence for you and all of us. I’ll never forget her kindness and fortitude! Her energy and light. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Renae Manley says
Blessed to call her family! She was a spitfire and will live on in cherished memories.
Shelley Killen says
Carol,
So sorry to hear of Swede’s passing. Hugs and prayers going out to you and your family.
Laury Sellers says
Sweet Kathy!
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing!
She was an amazing woman who brightened every room she entered.
You were an amazing daughter/ sidekick to her.
May we all live such joyful lives, embracing each day as the gift it is.
You will be in my prayers for the peace found in Christ alone.
In His love and mine.
Dawn Greenwood says
Carol, Bobby, Cathy and Debbie, I know Swede’s passing leaves a big hole in your hearts. She will be missed by all who knew her, and thanks to all of you, she got to keep up with all her antics till the end. She was the most loveable, irrepressible, fun-loving daredevil, who always had a hug and a smile for everyone she met. I’ll never forget that beautiful smile and the twinkle in her eyes. She will always hold a place in our hearts. God bless.
Phillip Huckins says
Swede was a member of our Cloud Peak Back Country Horsemen Chapter. She hosted a chili feed for our group every year in December at her home. She had many stories to tell and was a generous person. God Bless her, she will be missed .
Thad Berrett says
Dear McCue Family,
Swede was a wonderful lady. I have appreciated getting to know her through the Back Country Horsemen chili feeds she hosted each January. I loved hearing stories of her family and growing up and enjoyed the pictures around the house that were done by her, her dad, and other family. She sure loved showing off the video of her sky diving last year. God bless you all.
LYNDA R CHAMPLIN says
I met “Aunt Swede” at the Buffalo YMCA during water exercise.I just loved her !
Bill and Sandy Jensen says
Dear Carol,
We send our sincere condolences. Sorry for the loss of your sister💐