It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Michael “Mike” J. Curley, who died on April 25, 2026, at the age of 72. Mike was born on March 13, 1954, in Oelwein, Iowa to James (Jim) and Patricia (Meier) Curley.
Mike graduated from Wapsie Valley High School in 1972. While there, he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school, he attended the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, Ohio. Mike worked for his father Jim, at Curley’s Jack and Jill grocery store and at Curley’s Locker. He eventually purchased Curley’s Locker and proudly operated the family business for several years. He later continued his career in the food processing industry working at Iowa Ham in Independence and Kerry Foods in Fredericksburg.
On December 1st, 1973 Mike married Trish Meier. Together they raised four children and were later divorced.
Mike was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbank. He proudly served the Fairbank community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Fairbank Fire Department, eventually retiring after 23 years of service.
Mike enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and deer hunting. He was a huge Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. Mike loved weekend social events including waterball, state firefighter conventions, softball tournaments, camping, and canoeing. Mike, AKA “Sugarfoot”, played slow pitch softball for several area teams and in several different leagues throughout the years, often playing more than 100 games in a season. His biggest fans included his family who rarely missed a game. His love of sports continued after his playing years were done. Mike was a dedicated fantasy sports manager- often balancing numerous online teams in every sport imaginable.
Even with his development of Alzheimer’s disease, Mike never forgot how to treat others with kindness and was known for sharing a smile, a quick joke, and a laugh.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Pat Curley. He is survived by his children: Jamie (Melanie) Curley, Nick (Jo) Curley, Tiffany (Chris) Madsen, and Tony (Megan) Curley; nine grandchildren: Jenna (Colin Schrader), Kaylie, Anna, Tanner (Corina Gray), Peyton, Hunter, Mason, Braxton, and Brynlee; and his brothers Tim (Martha) Curley, Russ (Judy) Curley, and Keith (Tammy) Curley along with several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday April 29th, 2026 at Woods Funeral Home.
Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Thursday April 30th at Woods Funeral Home.
Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Condolences for Michael James Curley
Oh Mike I’ll never forget how cool you were in high school…I remember your 1st car the white mustang with the black top and red interior….mom and me came to see Pat and you showed us your car……then you said want a ride we said sure…..OMG you drove us like it was the Daytona 500 shifting gears ….and me and mom laughing…..like we couldn’t believe it …we laughed so hard we cried…and we still talked about it……fun times love you Your cousin Debbie Steffen….