Curtis Roerick
Dec. 11, 1956-June 19, 2025
Rugby
Curtis John Roerick, 68, passed away at home with his wife by his side on Thursday, June 19, 2025 after a long battle with metastatic lung cancer.
Curtis was born on Dec. 11, 1956 in Rugby, North Dakota, the second of 9 children born to Edward and Lyla (Kjetlien) Roerick.
He grew up on the family dairy farm north of Selz and attended grade school in Selz and graduated from Harvey High School, class of 1975.
He attended college at the University of North Dakota for a short time before working for Susag Sand and Gravel as a payloader operator until 1980. He then began a lifelong farming and ranching career on a farm west of Rugby.
While farming and ranching, he began working at the Rugby Hospital during the winter months, where he met his future wife in 1981.
In 1985, he graduated from Trinity College with an RN degree. He worked part time, mostly in the winter months, as an Emergency Room supervisor until 1991.
Curtis was united in marriage to Arlene Selensky on Oct. 1, 1986 in Rugby. They continued to live and work on the farm raising cattle and grain until cancer forced him to retire in 2019.
He was currently a member of the Little Flower Catholic Church, Fraternal Order of Eagle’s and the Rugby Golf Club. He served on numerous boards and committees during his lifetime.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting pool, bowling and was a fan of classic cars.
In his later years, he enjoyed playing golf, target practice and was always ready to play a game of cards or make a trip to the casino. He was blessed to live his life with his wife by his side and he will be missed.
Curtis is survived by his wife of 39 years, Arlene; brothers, Gary (Marvilyn) of Rugby, Richard (Gaylene) of Harvey, Robert (Heidi) of Rugby, Allen of Harvey and Mark (Cindy) of Harvey; sisters, Lynda (Sidney) Mack of Fargo and Karen (Kelly) Muscha of Harvey; aunts, Delores Wentz of Maddock, Elizabeth Roerick of Clearwater, Florida and Eileen Pieterick of Rugby; Mother-in-law, Anna Selensky; sisters-in-law, Rita Selensky of Hamilton, Ohio, Sharon Pearson of Minot and Stephanie Selensky of Fargo; brother-in-law, Wayne Selensky of Fargo; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kent Roerick; nephew, Steven Roerick; sister-in-law, Denise Roerick and his father-in-law, Steven Selensky.
Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be on Thursday, June 26 at 11 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial in the church cemetery.
Father Gaspar Vanathaiyan, Celebrant with Deacon Jonathan Brewer, assisting.
Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. with rosary, vigil prayer service and sharing beginning at 7 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Organist: Glenda Mack
Vocal leader/Cantor: Luke Schlag
Reader: Brother-in-law, Kelly Muscha
Presentation of Gifts: Sister-in-law & Niece Sharon & Faith Pearson
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home.
Online Condolences: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, June 28, 2025.