CURTIS REUBEN DAYE

On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, Curtis Reuben Daye passed away peacefully after a brief hospital stay at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. Curtis was born February 1, 1952, in Wautoma, WI, to Reuben and Alice (Mischka) Daye. He was a graduate of Wautoma High School and attended University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point until his passion for horses and his desire to start working full-time took him in another direction. Curtis worked in the grocery industry in various capacities, including owning his own grocery store in Coloma, WI. Until December, 2021, he was employed part-time as a bread display “engineer”.

Curtis’s lifelong interest in horses brought him so much joy. A number of years ago, Curtis and his wife, Dorothy, started Daye’s Exceptional Arabians where their passion led them to various horse shows and competitions. Over the years, he was the President of the Wisconsin Desert Horse Association (WDHA). His knowledge and commitment helped others learn about raising and showing horses. Among his many accomplishments, Curtis’s Arabian mare, Alana Fame J, won the Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders, Inc. Fall Fest Performance Futurity in 2008. One of his most recent accomplishments was earning the Iowa Gold Star Futurity Champion with Alana’s fowl, Khadrana W, in September 2020.

Besides being a hard worker and horse lover, Curtis took great pride in his ability to cook and entertain. His “famous” potato salad and mouthwatering apple pies were often requested at gatherings. His green thumb was obvious in his expansive flower gardens, plants and well-manicured yard.

In 2019, Curtis was blessed with one of his greatest joys….the title of Papa.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy. His son Daniel, from a previous marriage, and his three grandchildren Luci, Alice and Sonny. He will be greatly missed by his sister, Nadine Warsek and her daughter, Raquel (significant other Steve); as well as Raquel’s children, his nephews: Dalton Bohn and Tucker Bohn. Curtis is further survived by numerous family members and many special friends. Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Alice, and a brother-in-law, Gerry Warsek.

On Wednesday, August 17, family and friends are invited to express their condolences starting at 1 p.m. until the time of service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 407 Oak Street, Neenah, WI. Pastor Tony McKenzie will deliver a Christian service at 3 p.m. A light lunch will be provided at the church following the service. Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.