Obituary — Deacon Michael Curtin

Deacon Michael Leo Curtin, 90, passed into eternal life on September 1, 2025. Mike was born September 22, 1934, in Bridgewater. He was the second of six children born to James and Opal (Wiblemo) Curtin.

Mike grew up in rural South Dakota, and graduated from Lake Andes Independent School in 1952. He then enlisted in the United Sates Air Force, finally retiring from active duty in 1973. During his enlistment he served our country all over the world including Elsworth AFB, and bases in Colorado, Texas, Massachesutes, Alaska, Saudia Arabia, Guam, The Philippines, Thailand, and Okinawa. As difficult as it was, he was proud of his service and was especially proud of all of the years working to keep the B-52s of the 28th Bomb Wing flying.

He married the love of his life, Wilma Joyce VanderVoort Curtin on October 17, 1956. God blessed them with four children, Mickey, Theresa, Cathy, and Patty. God continued to bless them with eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren (and one on the way) and four great-great grandchildren. They were married 66 years at the time of Wilma’s death in 2023. He was a good husband and grandpa, faithfully pursuing the goal of loving his family as God had loved him. Dad’s example will continue to bless us long after this day.

After retiring from the USAF, Michael moved to Spearfish and began phase two of his career. After exploring life outside of the military, he returned to school at Black Hills State College receiving a BA in 1980 and MA in alcohol and drug abuse counseling in 1987.  He worked for BHSC in Veteran’s Affairs and at the VA in Hot Springs.

Michael was a lifelong Catholic who lived his faith. He was ordained as a Deacon in the church on July 22, 1990. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40 guided his actions: “I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” He was strongly and actively pro-life. He was committed to helping the down-and-out through the church, Love, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, and anywhere else God placed him. He served the church for many years as a deacon at St. Isidore parish in Colome before finally retiring to Rapid City.

Michael L Curtin is survived by his sister, Mary Curtin Huneke of Macon, GA; son, Michael D (Mick) Curtin, Eureka Springs, Arkansas; daughters Theresa (Gary) Groenewold, Idaho Falls, ID; and Patricia Thompson, Pierre, SD; eight grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. God truly blessed him.

Michael was proceeded in death by his wife, Wilma Joyce (VanderVoort) Curtin; daughter, Cathy Curtin; his parents, James and Opal Curtin; brothers, Roger Curtin and Dennis Curtin; and sisters, Gloria Curtin Edwards and Virginia Curtin.

Michael’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Michael J Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veterans Home for caring for and loving our father with such respect and compassion in his final years of living with Alzheimer’s disease. They are angels on earth.

If you wish, the family suggests that memorials be sent in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Click here to watch the Christian Funeral Mass which was celebrated September 8, 2025, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  A graveside service followed Black Hills National Cemetery.