Patricia Leigh Curtis, 81, of Moline, IL, formerly of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on September 5, 2020 at Allure of Geneseo in Geneseo, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services have been scheduled. Internment will be at Jackson Township (Berlin) Cemetery at a later date. Pat was born on July 28, 1939, in Nevada, IA, the oldest daughter of Edward Kenneth and Helen (Platts) Curtis. She graduated from Owasa High School, in Owasa, IA in 1957. After high school, she graduated from Ellsworth Community College in 1959 and went on to the University of Northern Iowa to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education & Home Economics in 1961. She began her teaching career at Alta High School, in Alta, IA, from 1961-1968. She was united in marriage to Benjamin Van Deest in June 1961 in Grundy Center, IA. They later divorced.
In 1968 she moved to Adrian, MN, and began a sewing business from her home. She custom-designed clothing, home decor, and bridal wear, as well as being a substitute teacher. She worked for Carl’s Farm Store for a year and a half and was on the Arnold Memorial Hospital Board for five years. Pat was the first woman elected to the school board in Adrian in 1974, and she served four years as the treasurer.
Another move took the family to Sioux Falls, SD, in 1978. Pat was a stay at home mom until she began working at the Argus Leader in 1981. She was promoted to Human Resources Director. She worked at the Argus for 18 ½ years and was on the editorial board for seven of those years. She finished out her career at CCC Information Services in Sioux Falls as the Human Resources Director.
Her passion for helping and serving others was shown through her involvement in various professional and volunteer groups in Sioux Falls. She was president of the Sioux Empire Society for Human Resources and was named Sioux Empire HR Professional of the Year in 2004. She was president of the Sioux Falls Volunteers of America Board, United Way marketing and fundraising committees, the board of Beginning Experiences, and the Committee on Education and Art with the Chamber of Commerce. Pat was very active with her church, Spirit of Peace UCC, serving on many committees. After retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at the ReStore at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls and was named Volunteer of the Year. She was a member of the Leadership Advisory Council of OLLI and enjoyed taking a variety of classes after retirement.
She moved to Geneseo, IL, to be closer to family and watch four granddaughters grow up. Her granddaughters were the light of her life. She moved to Overlook Village in Moline, IL. There she made wonderful friends with whom she enjoyed spending time by taking day trips, dinners together, and being part of various committees.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Kellie Sue (John) Barickman of Geneseo, IL; grandchildren, Madeline, Abigail, Eliana, and Katherine Barickman, all of Geneseo, IL; sister, Sherry (Jim) Costello of Covina, CA; and families of Tracy, Wendi, and Colin Costello, her beloved nieces and nephew.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Leah Kathleen Van Deest, and her parents.
Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel assisted the family.
