Kevin now owns a quarter section of his own land. It's a good partnership. The Neuman's are sharing their story for two reasons. First, they hope farmers who are suffering from depression, as Curtis did, get the help they need to overcome the disease, so the end result is not suicide. Second, they want readers to know that it is possible to survive tragedy.
Recovery takes quite awhile.
You never totally get over it. She doesn't blame herself for her husband's suicide as some wives do in that situation. She tried to get him help, but he wouldn't accept it. Curtis's depression started in the summer of 1993 when the farm experienced a lot of flooding, says Jo. He was running the chopper, and the corn was taller than the tractor.