Debbie Jo Curtis

Debbie Jo Curtis, 71, of Norwalk, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, surrounded by family.

Debbie was born on December 7, 1953, in Osceola, Iowa, the cherished daughter of Wayne and Shirley Richardson. She shared a beautiful life with her devoted husband, Frank Curtis, by her side for 52 wonderful years. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and countless treasured memories.. A lifelong Norwalk resident, Debbie’s vibrant spirit and creative soul touched everyone she met throughout her life.

Debbie’s passions were many—her artistic and creative skills, which let her find so much joy in painting, crafting, sewing, tending to flowers, and bird watching. She was known for her skills in cutting hair for friends and family.

Debbie loved traveling to any beach where vacations took them but had a special place in her heart for Florida’s Fort Myers beach and the ocean, there she could wiggle her toes in the sand and listen to music while enjoying her margaritas with salt on the rim.

Her cherished dogs, Greta and bulldogs Hannah and Stella Rose, were always by her side. Debbie enjoyed sunbathing, sipping Diet Pepsi (or if it was a fountain, it had to be a Coke). She was a great cook and home maker and was known for her famous deviled eggs, peach salad at Easter, strawberry pretzel salad at Christmas, and her baked mac and cheese among many other specialties that her family always loved & looked forward to sharing with each other. She also enjoyed sipping a little bit of coffee with her “cream and sugar” and feeling the warm sun on her face whether on the beaches of Florida or on her back deck on a sunny day. Her home was always her canvas—it often changed with the seasons. In the morning before Frank went to work, the walls were one color, and when he got home, they would be a new color. The furniture could be re-arranged making it a new & vibrant space. Her infectious laugh, with its signature cackle, brought smiles to all & will be something that we always remember her by.

In high school, Debbie was a popular cheerleader for Norwalk where she first met her future husband, Frank Curtis, who was the captain of the basketball team. She was a trendsetter, known for the dresses & clothes she would make & sew herself and her funky hairstyles. Debbie danced and performed on the Bill Riley stage at the fair—a love of dance she passed on to her granddaughters—ran track and hurdles, and served on the student council. After graduating, she attended cosmetology school while Frank played basketball for Iowa State University. They planted their roots in Norwalk where together they lived & raised their children.

Debbie was active in her community as a Jaycee, a member of the Norwalk Fire Department Auxiliary, and a bowling league participant with friends for many years. She attended many craft shows, selling her greatest works of art, whether it was a Christmas dough ornament, her oil paintings, or one of her many wood working projects to name a few. She never missed her children’s events, always their biggest cheerleader and supporter, & always a smiling proud face in the crowd.

Her five grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent caring & spending time with them. Debbie loved traveling with Frank and their dear friends Pam and Joe Smith, enjoying multiple vacations together throughout the years visiting many beaches and ski slopes on their travels.

One of Debbie’s favorite traditions was celebrating birthdays with her special birthday group: Pam and Joe Smith, Sue and Dave Peterson, Suzette and Donnie Roach, and Peggy and Gary Meyer. The group shared countless great times and laughs together over the years.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Frank Curtis; children, Stacy (Darin) Cox and Todd (Kristi) Curtis; grandchildren, Mckenna Cox, Cooper Cox, Quinn Cox, Miles Curtis, and Morgan Curtis; mother, Shirley Richardson; and brother, Mike Richardson.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Richardson, and brother, Mark Richardson.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025, at Norwalk Christian Church, 701 Main St., Norwalk. Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025, also at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Debbie.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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