Wilma Joyce Curtin

Wilma Joyce Curtin

RAPID CITY - Wilma Joyce Curtin, 85, passed into Eternal Life on June 25, 2023. Wilma was born on March 8, 1938, near Wagner, SD. She was the youngest child of William F. and Meda (Bell) VanderVoort.

Wilma graduated from Lake Andes High School in 1956 where she was both Valedictorian and Homecoming Queen. That October she married the love of her life, Michael L. Curtin, and they began their adventure of life in the military, with Mike serving in the U. S. Air Force. God blessed them with four children, Mickey, Theresa, Cathy, and Patty. Wilma persevered in raising the kids during multiple deployments for Mike. After 22 years they retired to Spearfish, SD and started part two of their lives. She worked at Black Hills State College while Mike completed his degrees. Over the years Wilma worked a number of jobs around South Dakota, notably serving the Catholic parish at Colome for several years. Eventually they retired again, this time to Rapid City. They were married for 66 years at the time of her death.

Just before her marriage, Wilma converted to Catholicism. She spent a most of her life actively serving God through music, playing the piano and organ, and singing in and directing choirs up until five years ago when she finally stepped down as worship pianist at her assisted living facility. She was also involved in RCIA, RCIC, Director of RE, Church secretary and bookkeeper, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Cantor.

Wilma is survived by her husband, Michael Curtin of Hot Springs, SD who already misses her tremendously; son, Mick Curtin, Eureka Springs, Arkansas; daughters Theresa (Gary) Groenewold, Idaho Falls, ID; and Patricia Thompson, Pierre, SD; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. God truly blessed her.

Wilma was proceeded in death by her daughter, Cathy Mitchell; her parents, William and Meda VanderVoort; brother, George VanderVoort; and sisters Louise Kennedy and Esther Tomlinson Fees.

Wilma's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Echo Ridge Assisted Living and the Monument Health Hospice House for their kind, compassionate and competent help during Mom's final illness.

Friends and family are invited to a Christian Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Graveside services will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent in her name to The American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit the online memorial for Wilma at: www.OsheimSchmidt.com.