Family, youth, community and country were Curt Knierim's greatest passions.  Though he was born and raised in the city of  Cincinnati, Ohio, he took to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the small community of Newberry as if he were a native, becoming a "Yooper",  with pride.  He was one of those "one of a kind" guys  everyone enjoyed knowing.  There was a smile and a kind word for everyone he met.

 

His family brought him his greatest joys.  He basked in their love and returned it generously.  There was always time to get together and have a little fun. Nothing made him happier.  His bride of 19 years, Rita, is a retired teacher from Tahquamenon Area Schools and lives in Newberry.  His oldest daughter Trina Pagura, her husband, Frank, and their two daughters Aimee and Abby live in Ingleside, Illinois.  Katie Cortes, daughter number two, lives in Valparaiso, Indiana with her husband Octavio and their children Vanessa, Kaylee and Dylan. Kevin, his oldest son, lives in Dearborn Heights, MI with his wife, Michelle and teaches in O. West Middle School.  The youngest son, Chris Bennett who is teaching at Grand Valley State University lives in Jenison, MI., with his wife Jessica.

 

Young people in the Village of Newberry received the best of Curt Knierim.  You name the sport and he was there, playing his part of teacher or self appointed cheerleader. He served on the boards and coached hockey, baseball and football.  He was one of the founders of the Junior Knights football league, actually purchasing 100 sets of gear, so the young men (and women) of the community could learn the fundamentals at an early age.  As a coach and spectator he followed the youth hockey  teams from the mini-mites through midget levels. He was President, coach and umpire in Little League and enjoyed every minute of it.  Long after his own children no longer participated in local high school sports, you could still find him on the sidelines or in the bleachers cheering and encouraging the athletes.  For several years he wrote a column for the Newberry News called Something to Cheer About featuring students athletes, their accomplishments and dreams.

 

Curt was actively involved in the community of Newberry from the time he moved there in 1984 until his death in 2008.  He served on the Village Council as well as the Newberry Water and Light Board.  He was one of those "politicians"  who truly represented the people by listening, going door to door, and not being afraid of voicing opinions-especially his constituents.   

 

As a young man, straight out of Marion Purcell Catholic High School in Cinncinnati, Curt joined the United States Marine Corp  following in the footsteps of his dad, Frank "Bud" Knierim.  He proudly served his country in combat in Viet Nam.  All of his life he continued to be a Marine, proudly serving his country, his community, his employer and his family.