Curtis Dean Herbert

Funeral services for Curtis Dean Herbert, age 63, of Foley, formerly of Foreston, will be held Sunday, October 21, 2018 at 3 PM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Curt passed away October 13, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital from respiratory complications, surrounded by his daughter and family.  He was born November 20, 1954 at the Milaca Hospital to Eugene and Betty (Warner) Herbert, the first of six children.  His school years were at the Foreston Grade School across the street from the family home up to 6^thgrade and then on to Milaca High School.  After graduating in 1973, Curt went to work in the roofing trade with his dad, and eventually his brother, Jim, joining the Roofers Local #96 Union remaining a member for all of his working years.

He made his home in the metro area for several years until buying a home in Elk River with his fiancée, Sheryl Marchand and her son, Shane Hickey.  Here he was able to enjoy working in the yard, antique collecting, and of course all of his animals.  Curt was always introducing us to new and unusual pets!  Chameleons, boa constrictors and tarantula spiders were the pets that got him the nickname Reptile, but ferrets, piranhas, parakeets and the like were not unusual residents in his home. Deer hunting was also a yearly tradition that he greatly enjoyed with his family.

April 4, 1990, while excitedly anticipating the arrival of his only child, Alissa, Curt was in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury that would forever change his life. After months in the hospital he was moved to the Milaca Elim Home and eventually to a group home to attend to his daily cares.  Over the last 28 years he lived in different group homes.  His last, in Foley for 14 years, was by far the best.  Special thanks to Pat, Alicia, Sam, Miranda, Jessica, Amanda and all the staff that made him a priority.    

Though there were many trips to the ER and hospitalizations over the years, Curt had overall good health and was able to enjoy the company of others even with his limited abilities. Curt was always the focus of our family. Weekends and family gatherings were never complete unless Curt was there with us to enjoy the shenanigans!

Curt is survived by his daughter, Alissa Marchand of Dayton;  father, Eugene Herbert of Foreston; siblings, Patty Johnson (Donn Eggen) of Milaca, Peggy (Dwayne) Timmer of Milaca, David Herbert of Foreston, Nancy (Leroy) Scott of Foley and Jim (Terrie) Herbert of Foreston;  nieces and nephews, Clinton (Giselda) Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Michael (Linda) Timmer, Sarah Timmer, Jessie (Dan) Hollenkamp, Nicole (Zachary) Hollenkamp, Hannah Herbert, Michael (Kristin) Herbert, Emily (Adam) Veurink, Samantha Herbert and many great nieces and nephews.  Curt was preceded in death by his mother, Betty; grandparents, George and Ruby Herbert, Clarence Warner, Edith and Don Kennedy, and nephew, Justin Johnson.