Curt was born on September 27, 1979 in Watertown, SD to Dorothy (Wilson) and Greg Van Maanen.  He grew up in Volga and attended Sioux Valley School.  After high school, he attended Mitchell Technical Institute, where he studied Culinary Arts.  Curt worked in several area restaurants over the years, including The Ram Pub (Brookings) and the 1481 Grille (Arlington).  He worked for Aramark at SDSU from 2014 until his death.

In 2001, Curt married Ashley Howell in Volga, and they were blessed with two daughters, Josephine (12) and Madison (8).  He was the most amazing husband and father that three girls could ever ask for.

Curt enjoyed playing on a local pool league, building things, tinkering in the garage, and riding his Harley.  He was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church of Volga.  Curt was a quiet person who enjoyed simple pleasures.  He cherished time with his family and close friends.  He especially loved playing cards with Maddie and video games with Joey.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Ashley and daughters Josephine and Madison (Volga), parents Greg and Dorothy Van Maanen (Brookings), grandmother Verna Mae Van Maanen (Volga), in-laws Craig and Erica Howell (Volga), Abbey, Lance and Rosemary Howard (Brookings), Emily Howell (Brookings), many uncles, aunts, cousins, and many dear friends.

Curt was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Nellie Wilson and Ralph Van Maanen, his nephew Truman Howard, and uncles Donald Wilson and Gary Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, Curtis's family requests that friends and family make a donation to the American Cancer Society or a cancer research organization of your choice.