David Curtis (Curt) Brockel passed away on the morning of Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the Rosebud Healthcare Center in Forsyth, Montana after a brief illness. Curt was 60 years old.
Curt was born at Rosebud Community Hospital on September 2, 1954 to Leonard and Clara Ida (Waltz) Brockel.
Curt attended schools in Forsyth, graduating from Forsyth High School in 1972. He remained in Forsyth, began employment with the Bentonite plant in Vananda and was subsequently employed by Rosebud Mine in Colstrip (Western Energy) as an electrician. In 2009, he was promoted to Electrical Supervisor, Western Energy Company-Rosebud Mine, a subsidiary of Westmoreland Coal Company, in a career that in 2014 celebrated forty years. Workplace safety was a priority with Curt. Curt and his crew were honored to share with the other miners the National Mining Association’s Sentinels of Safety Award presented to Western Energy for winner in the category of Large Surface Coal Group for its outstanding safety record in 2011 (605,799 employee hours worked without a lost workday injury). Curt was an active member of WMEA (Western Mining Electrical Association).
Curt developed an early interest in cars while working at a service station in high school and enjoyed drag racing his ’69 Camaro. This love of drag racing led to his avid following and attendance at NASCAR and other drag-racing events. Curt enjoyed additional outdoor activities such as camping and hiking with his boys, fishing, hunting and gardening. Curt’s love of cooking, barbecuing, and developing microbrews was enjoyed by his friends and family. He recently became a storm spotter for the National Weather Service.
To his friends and family, his passion for “the Griz” is legendary — at sunrise on game day, the flag went out in front of his house. His preferred wardrobe choice was Griz gear; his love of the game was evident to all who knew and loved him.
Curt was known for his mischievous smile, good nature and for being a good father and neighbor. He was a regular blood donor, and in death, an organ donor. One of the things that his many friends will miss is his dry wit. He had a deep love of nature and of animals, especially his forever friend, golden retriever, Lucy.
Curt was preceded in death by his parents. Curt is survived by his wife Dawn, four sons, Jeremy, Justin, Damien (Sarah), Cameron, and stepdaughter Deanna (Jake) Stevenson; grandchildren Colter, Mikaela, Alex, Caleb, Kyla and one great-grandchild Kassie. He is also survived by his sisters Sharon Wortman, Arlene Brockel, Terri Brockel and an uncle Gottlieb Peter Brockel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Rosebud Mine Scholarship Fund c/o Marti Murphy at P.O. Box 99 Colstrip, MT 59323.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Monday October 27, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Monday October 27, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Tuesday October 28, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Monday October 27, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Monday October 27, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Tuesday October 28, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
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Jackie McPherson says
Brockel Family,
We are so sad to hear of Curt’s passing, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Kay Crosby Dooley says
Jeremy, Justin, Damien, Cameron and Dawn
You are each in my thoughts and prayers, my heart goes out to you. We share some awesome memories of great times sledding and river floating with your Dad. I hope you can find some peace knowing he is no longer suffering.
K
Kris Behles says
Brockel family,
I am very sorry to hear about Curt. I will miss him very much. One of my favorite supervisors out here at the mine. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Nora Buchholz says
We will miss Curt and his mischievous smile. Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Donna and Lawrence McCulloch says
We were saddened to here of the passing of Curt. Lawrence always liked working with him at the mine, he was genuinely a good person and very talented at his work. Your family will be in our prayers.
Cathy Byron says
Curt raised sons who had character and a work ethic. Fine young men. What a legacy to leave behind. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a parent.
Randy and Cora Stennerson says
Always wondered what Curt was thinking. He would sit and smile and not say a word. We will miss the knowledge he had and the kindness he gave. Our hearts go out to the family. May pease be with the family and the dog too.
Karie Weamer says
Dawn and Brockel family,
I am so saddened by the passing of Curt. He was always such a nice friendly man with a smile. May you have peace knowing that he is not suffering. The road to healing will be long and difficult but God will get you through it. Prayers, love and hugs to all!
Mike & Paula Childers says
We are sad to hear of Curt’s death. Being classmates, and neighbors growing up, it’s hard to believe he is gone. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Sonny Buckalew says
Curt was a good man to work with, peace be with his family, God bless.
Glenn Logan says
We will all miss Curt, but must be thankful for the time we were granted together. His was a life well lived. Curt, my friend, until we meet again on the other shore.
Jack & Sandi Van Pelt says
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers to all. He will always be in your heart.
Cathy Fleming says
I was so sorry so hear about Curt’s passing. Our prayers are with you.
Hugh and Evelyn Broadus says
I was sorry to hear about Curt – I always enjoyed visiting with him, when he would stop by my office at WECO. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Kay and Rocky Berdahl says
Dawn and boys, Arlene and Terri,
We are sorry to hear of Curt’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sandy Kirchheck says
my thoughts and prayers are with all of you I work with his son Justin his dad would be so proud of him sandy kirchheck
Sandy Kirchheck says
prayers to each of you
Barbara Miller says
May God bless and keep you all in His loving arms during this time of loss. I lived in Forsyth in the early 80’s and your dad Curt was a very good friend to me and my family. I live in Texas now and often think of those fun days and Curt’s contagious laugh and smile. Sending my prayers and love to all. God bless.
Robin Stephens says
So sorry to hear about Curt’s passing–he was way too young to go. He was a such a good neighbor. He was a very good dad too–he will be sorely missed by so many. My sincere sympathies go out to his whole family.
Kris Crosby says
I could easily fill this page with memories of Curt. He & my Dad were very close friends, and he was a constant in my life from the time I was born, and over the 1st decade of my life.
I stole my 1st taste of beer from Curt’s can of Rainier, and went on my 1st real camping trip with Curt & his family. Playing cards, river floats, sledding, fishing trips, vacations, barbecues, going out west of town on the old highway each spring watching & waiting for the ice to break up on the Yellowstone, playing hooky from school & riding snowmobiles out to Gearheart’s to see the eclipse when I was in 1st grade, trip’s “out north” just for the sake of killing an afternoon (and maybe a few rabbits), the “Silver” cat I gave him – nearly all of the best memories of my childhood, Curt was there for all of it, with his laugh & his wonderful sense of humor. He seldom treated me as if I was a “kid”, rather just one of the guys. I also became close friends with his boys, Jeremy & Justin as we grew up together.
Over the years life took me many miles away from where I grew up, and I hadn’t seen Curt in years, but I never forgot him. He was a huge part of too many great memories.
He & my Dad drifted apart over the years as well, but up until the very end my Dad still spoke fondly of is old buddy “Curt Brock”, and told many incredible stories of the truly wild & crazy adventures they’d shared.
To the Brockel family I offer my condolences – know that you & Curt are in my thoughts & in my heart.
To my old friend Curt I say goodbye for now, but we’ll meet again someday, and I’ll be looking forward to it
Daniel & Lillian Big Man says
I was in total shock when I heard of Curt’s passing, seemed just like yesterday that I saw him and laughed with him. I enjoyed the time that I knew him while I was at WECO, he was a generous and kind hearted guy and I will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Love and Peace ~ The Big Man Family
Kelly (Cartwright) Handley says
Dawn, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Sheli Goodsell says
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs.
Maggie Kanta Pate says
Dawn, you know how sorry I am for your loss. A life cut way too short. Please know you and all of Curt’s family are in my prayers. May God wrap his arms around all of you and bring you his strength.
Matt Barton says
Curt was a great guy to work with and work for. He was a friend and a boss and greatly cared for his workers. He had a great sense of humor and was fun to be around and always fun to work with. I have not talked with Curt for some time and I am shocked to hear of his passing. Curt was always a happy guy and I will always remember him as such. As for Curt’s family, I know he was a great guy and I am sorry for your loss. He was very proud of his kids as he always spoke highly of them when he was at work and he obviously loved Dawn very much too.
ivy Wetsch says
Dawn & family so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Neal & Pam Shelton says
God bless him and the family. Curt was a good friend. Mostly just good people! We had a lot of fun back in the day.
Going to miss him.
Casey Glenn says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May your hearts be filled with all the memories to last a lifetime. Prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Randy & Janet Stanhope says
We are so very sorry for your loss and send all our prayers and sympathies your way.
Rick and Gayle Scheidt says
Brockel family. We were so shocked to see Curt had passed. We are deeply saddened by your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jim Rye says
To the family,
I am a vendor that called on Curt for the last thirteen years at the Weco mine. There was never a happier, engaging person on shift at the mine. He always had that smile that everyone talks about and the twinkle in his eye to say something very dry and fitting for the moment.. What a loss to all of his family.. blood and the Weco family. RIP my good man Curt!!! My prayers are with the family at this time. God bless.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of David Curtis Brockel – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you be comforted by the “God of all comfort” who promises to “comfort us in all our tribulations” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). I hope you find peace in many Bible promises (John 17:3).
Sheila and Monty Haselhuhn says
Curt’s passing was such a shock. He always had a kind smile, a friendly hello and a deep pride in family. Please know we are thinking of all of you.
Go Griz! 🙂
Arlene Brockel says
To all who left messages, please know how much your condolences, thoughts, and prayers mean to all of at this difficult time.
Your personal memories of Curt are very special ; they will be remembered forever.
Thank you.
Arlene
Cameron Brockel says
Strangely, I miss my dad now more than when he was still with us. We kind of had a strained relationship towards the end and were pretty distant. But, in retrospect, looking at his life, it seems we had more in common in the way of both vices and virtues than we probably both would have liked to admit to each other. See you later on further, distant shores, dad.
He did have a pretty good sense of humor. Funny because of the stark honesty. Ha. The funny bone runs in the family.