Curtis Symens

*Please note that all services will be arranged and held through Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and this obituary is being posted as curtesy to the Symens family.*

Curtis Wayne Symens, age 57, of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas (formerly of Willow Lake, South Dakota), passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

A private family viewing will be held on Monday, December 22, at the Lewis Family Chapel in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, at 3:00 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, followed by a lunch and time of fellowship. Burial will take place at a later date at the Cox-Head Cemetery in rural Sulphur Springs.

Curt was born on June 24, 1968, in Huron, South Dakota, to Ronald and JoLayne (Jody) Symens of Willow Lake. He received his education in the Willow Lake School District, graduating in 1986. He then attended Lake Area Vo-Tech in Watertown, South Dakota, majoring in auto mechanics.

Curt was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Willow Lake. Throughout his life, Curt worked at Agtegra in Carpenter, South Dakota; as an auto mechanic in Willow Lake and Lincoln, Nebraska; as a truck driver throughout the United States; and most recently as a rural mail carrier in Arkansas at the time of his death.

He met his future wife, Helen Denise Beck, while she was attending South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1995. The couple married on February 12, 2000, at the Presbyterian Reformed Church. Curt and Denise welcomed their son, Mitchell, in 2000 and their daughter, Morgan, in 2003.

A man of few but wise words, Curt’s love for his family and friends did not have to be spoken—his actions spoke volumes. He was always willing to help where needed, expecting nothing in return, while giving his all.

Curt’s greatest joys were worshiping God with his church family and spending time with family and friends, especially playing pinochle. He loved hunting and fishing and was known for his expertise in smoking and grilling meats. Raised on a farm, Curt was passionate about raising cattle and made annual trips to South Dakota to help his brother with harvest. Curt proudly received first place for Warm Season Grasses at the 2025 Montgomery County Hay Show.

Curt is survived by his wife, Denise; children, Mitchell and Morgan; mother, Jody; sister, Terri Symens; brother, Brent (Laura) Symens and their children Amelia, Cameron, Sawyer, and Grayson Symens, and Mitchell Matteson; mother-in-law, Dell Willhite; sister-in-law, Dee Beck; brothers-in-law, Donny Beck and Danny Beck; and uncle Rick (Sharon) Symens and their children and families.

Curt was preceded in death by his father, Ronald; grandparents Clarence and Maybelle Faiferlick and John and Helen Symens; and father-in-law, David Beck.