Daniel R. Curtin

Dan Curtin went home to be with Jesus on Sunday September 27, 2026. Daniel Regis Curtin was born at home in Chicago to Frank and Margaret Curtin on February 3, 1944, one of 6 siblings, he grew up in Laona WI, attended Sacred Heart Seminary for a couple of his high school years, and enlisted in the Army, becoming a paratrooper, right after graduation! After serving overseas, he returned to WI after being discharged and attended University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, graduating in 1971. What he thought was a temporary job with the State of Wisconsin Job Service turned out to be a 30 year job, first as a Veterans Employment Representative and then as a Labor Market Analysis. It was there he met the love of his life, Jan. They were married on September 23, 1977, becoming a family of 4 with her sons, Brett and Jason Kemp and just celebrated 49 years of marriage. Dan retired from state service in 2002 and then devoted his time to serve at Double Portion Soup Kitchen and then ministering in the state prisons with CRU. There he found his true calling when he was able to share the gospel – the good news of Jesus and salvation – with the men inside those walls. He loved Jesus and and wanted others too also. His biggest regret was having to stop that ministry when health issues prevented him from continuing.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, sons Brett (Stephanie) and Jason, son Mike, sisters Judy and Margaret, sister-in-law Margaret, grandchildren Kyle, Katelyn (Jon), Maddison (Mason), Kailey and Braedan and great grandchildren Lunar, Finnley, Parker and Ensley.  His parents, Jan’s parents Don and Ruth Helf, his brothers: Phil, Fran, and Jim preceded him in death.

A special thank you to his Moments Hospice team Stacey, Cara, Emily, Chaplain Jake and Erin for making the last 9 months more comfortable. A special thank you to Karen who walked through this last, difficult weekend with me.

A gathering to celebrate Dan’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 1 - 5 p.m. at Pathways Church; 311 W. Evergreen Dr., Appleton. 

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