"Our condolences to the family. Duane & Janice Baumler Decorah, IA"
In loving memory of
James Erick Curtis
June 25, 1967 - March 10, 2023
James (Jim) Curtis, 55, of Rochester Minnesota passed away on March 10, 2023 from ALS.
Jim is survived by his wife Barbara Dobie; his daughters Kaitlyn Curtis and Maranda Curtis; his step-children Karla Irish (Mark), Seth Dobie, and Allison Dobie; his grandchildren: Bobby Irish and Jack Irish; his siblings Linda Lentz, Rebecca Curtis, Gretchen Schettl, and David Curtis (Mary); his sister in-law Connie Curtis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Lila, and his brother Darrell Curtis.
Jim was born in Rochester Minnesota to Vernon and Lila Curtis. He graduated Mayo High School in 1985. He then went on to complete a BS in Computer Science from Winona State University. He worked at Mayo Clinic in IT and before that at IBM. Jim had many interests including hanging with family, traveling, archery, cross fit, wood working, golf, skiing.
A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Pl. NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ALS Association (donate.mn.als.org)
Ranfranz and Vine is honored to be serving the Curtis family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"I was lucky enough to work with Jim more than once. Jim was always positive, fun and brilliant. His smile was always ready. He saw the humor in every situation, and didn't mind my corny jokes, probably because he has so many of them himself. He lifted the spirits of everyone around him. Jim, I miss you my friend. Thank you for being a wonderful part of my life."
"Jim has been a lifelong friend and was a big part of my childhood. I will always remember the fun we had growing up together. Like others have said he didn?t complain or get mad about this awful disease he had, he would just say it was ?frustrating?!! The week before he passed I visited with him and even though he could only communicate with a IPad via eye recognition he was joking around. I?m gonna miss reminiscing about the old days, shooting bows, talking about kettlebell workouts, and just joking around with him. He was one of a kind!!"
"I am Jim's sister Rebecca. Growing up our parents instilled respect and kindness to all. I never have heard anyone speak bad about Jim or my other 2 brothers Darrell and David. I am so blessed that these are my brothers. It's been so wonderful hearing all these comments about Jim and knowing the impact he made with everyone?? He was a great son,father, brother and friend who will be deeply missed."
"Barb , I am so sorry for your loss. I will hold on to the nice memories that I have of our visits. Hugs to you. Michelle"
"I am soooo sorry for your loss! My condolences, and prayers go out to his whole family, and close friends. I was good friends with Jim, or Curtis, as he was called a lot back then. Our lives took us different directions, but all the old memories are flooding back. There were a lot of good times had, and glad I was able to experience that with him. He has definitely left his mark on this world, and he will stay alive in my heart through all the memories I have of him. ???"
"I first met Jim at RCC when he played on the golf team. He was a very nice guy and I'm glad I got to know him. I later got to work with his older brother, Darrell. Prayers to his family and friends."
"Jim was my next door neighbor for several years. He was so fun to talk to and I so enjoyed him. He used to come over when I had my garage sales, and I remember one time I had one and it started snowing. He came out of the house and said, "Friemann, what are you doing??!!" I said, "I am having a garage sale." He just started laughing and went into the house, got me a hot cocoa and brought it over to me. We took care of their cat and dog while they went on vacation a few times, and I just remember him being so nice and so funny to talk to. I will really miss you Jim. I have not seen you in a while and had no idea about your ALS. I am so sorry. Rest in peace. You will meet my husband in heaven as Mark passed away last May. I will always remember you and pray for you and your family. Diana Friemann, your old neighbor next door "
"I shared an office with Jim on Sieben's 8 for a few years but on two separate teams and units. Sharing an office with Jim was some of the most fun times I had while working at Mayo. He was always kind and considerate and was great at joking around. Even with all the joking, we would work very hard. I never saw him get upset at work. He always had a positive attitude. He talked about his children very often. He definitely was a very devoted husband and father from all the stories he told me. His advice was always genuine, from the heart, good advice to follow. I have missed sharing an office with him and have missed all the laughs we had together. It was nice to go to the office day-in and day-out knowing you would have laughs along the way. It breaks my heart to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to his wife Barbara and all his children, his parents, and other family members. "
"I was so alarmed and shocked to see Jim's obituary. I was fortunate to meet and know Jim at IBM and his always ready smile and visits we had to catch up between projects and traveling. Rest in peace my friend. Steve Cyr"
"I attended school with Jim at Mayo, where we graduated in 1985. I will never forget Jim for his kindness and constant smile. Jim was a simple, fun, and genuine person. May Jim forever Rest in Peace, and may God grant peace to his family."
"Jim and I worked together for a brief period at ShowCase Corp in the 90's. I remember him as a creative problem solver, always helpful, and funny. My thoughts and prayers for all who knew him. May he rest in peace."
"I worked with Jim in Mayo for last 10 years. He is one of the greatest colleagues I?ve ever had.
He was a very honest person. He was a great mentor and big help in any situation.
He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers with his family at this sad time. "
"Jim was a bright spot on our team. He brought warmth, humility, humor, and a genuine enjoyment of the work and the people he worked with to our lives. Even after being diagnosed with ALS, he continued to downplay it as to keep people from being uncomfortable. We are so glad that he worked as long as he could so that we had the time with him that we did."
"I only worked with Jim on a couple projects at Mayo, but he was a kind and genuine spirit. God bless and all the grace on your journey. "
"I grew up with Jim and Dave. They lived "around the corner" from us. My brother and I had so many great times together with Jim. From riding Big Wheels and skateboards down 10th St onto 15th Ave and try not to hit the fire hydrant, to street football and just haning out listening to KISS. Jim was honestly one of the funniest and quick witted people I've ever met. He is sorely missed and my prayers got to everyone who was lucky enough to know and love Jim."
"I think I first met Jim in 7th grade at Kellogg and stayed friends through graduation and into a couple of years at RCC. What a great guy. And even though we hadn't spoken in person for decades, comments back and forth on Facebook let me know he was the same Jim I remembered as my friend. He will be sorely missed. May the family hang tight to the memories they share."
"I am a cousin to Jim his mom and my mom were sisters, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very sad time. Paulette Jones"