Memories from castle valley

The Stucki family played a significant role in the development of Castle Valley, Utah. In 1976, William Richard Stucki and his wife, Marjorie Lenore Curtis Stucki, relocated their family to this picturesque area 25 miles up the Colorado River from Moab to fulfill a lifelong dream of country living and establishing a family farm. We called it the homestead. Over the next 29 years, they cultivated the land, planted gardens, and raised various animals, fostering a deep connection to the community.

​This experience was brand new and totally foreign for them in many ways. While they had tried their hand at gardening on a much smaller scale and even raised a few chickens, a homestead was a much bigger undertaking. Chickens and goats were the first animals they tried to care for, but their homestead grew quickly to include ducks, turkeys, horses, cows, sheep, and many other animals.
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Their commitment extended to spiritual service; both Richard and Marjorie were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They served in the Monticello Temple, where Richard worked as a sealer. They later served a mission in Winnsboro, Louisiana, from 2001 to 2003. For many years, children and grandchildren brought their families to Granny and Grampa's farm for peace, security, and family togetherness.
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These elements continue to buoy up the family members through the good and difficult times of our day.

​The family’s journey to Castle Valley began with Marjorie’s determination to find a rural homestead. After exploring various prospects, she discovered an advertisement for land in southeastern Utah. 

They learned how to care for the animals, plants, trees, and berries by working the land, reading books, and watching their neighbors. 
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What started slowly grew quickly, and all the while, they began building their home and barn. It took a ton of hard work and learning from scratch by trial and error, but the lessons learned there have helped them conquer the challenges through life.

​Beyond farming, the Stuckis contributed to local commerce by operating a restaurant and bakery in Moab, renowned for its nutritious, fresh bread, rolls, and muffins. Later, they established a bed and breakfast, further embedding themselves in the area’s hospitality scene. Richard was a school bus driver between Castle Valley and Moab, ensuring safe transportation for local students from the valley formore than 15 years.
A visit to the area revealed a verdant valley with towering red rock cliffs aligned perfectly with their vision. This led to the family’s transformative move from urban life to the serene landscapes of Castle Valley.

The benefits of lessons learned there of work, prudence, humility, and love for God and man continue today.
According to the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words,” the phrase refers to the notion that images reveal insights and communicate detail where otherwise lengthy prose would be required. Even complex ideas are understood quickly and easily with pictures.  So sit back and enjoy the digital imagery of Castle Valley and the many experiences and cherished memories it evokes.