Curtis W. Steen Jr., loved by many
Curtis "Curt" W. Steen Jr. of Dagsboro passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. Curt was one of the few people left who could truly call himself a native Delawarean. He was born Feb. 7, 1943, to the late Sen. Curtis W. Steen Sr. and Mattie A. Steen.
Curt dedicated his life to farming. He grew corn and soybeans, and raised chickens on the farm next to his son, Traye.
To know Curt was to love him. He inspired his family with his generous nature and would literally give you the shirt off his back or the last dollar in his wallet. Curt was known as an animated storyteller. He had a story for everyone and everything. One of his favorite lines was, "Let me tell you about the time that I...” From having a pet monkey, to taking trips with his buddies to Florida, to being banned as a teenager from Clayton Theater for releasing sparrows, Curt had endless stories to tell. He was a true walking encyclopedia of Sussex County history. If you need to know someone’s name or how they were related to someone else, you called Curt Steen! If you wanted to know about the history of Delaware’s chicken industry, he knew it all. Curt was an honorary member of Dagsboro Fire Department, a member of Delaware Lodge No. 37, as well as a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Above all else, Curt was a devoted family man. In 1978, after years as a confirmed bachelor, he married Arleen Q. Steen, and together they raised her children, Susan and Traye. Curt loved them as his own and gave them a lifetime of unwavering support with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eye.
No one lit up his face more than his only grandchild, Rachael, whom he affectionately called “Dollbaby.” Curt adored his Dollbaby and loved sharing life’s simple joys with her like holding her first baby chick, picking out her first dog, Coco, and enjoying classic Sussex County dishes like chicken and dumplings. Coco was often seen in Curt’s lap while they were driving around town.
Curt is preceded in death by his loving wife, Arleen Q. Steen. He is survived by his two children, Susan Pittard Gardner (Brad) and Herman “Traye” C. Matthes III (Darlene); and his beloved granddaughter, Rachael G. Weidman. He is also survived by his sister, Amanda Steen, who lovingly cared for him until he left this earth.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Curt's amazing caregivers, Amanda Steen, Bonnie Hatton, Sabatrie Singh and Sandra Wells, who made it possible for him to pass peacefully at home. We also wish to thank everyone at Delaware Hospice for their incredible and comforting support of Curt and our family.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at Prince George's Chapel Cemetery, Dagsboro. A Celebration of Curt’s Life will be held immediately after the service at the family home in Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Curt’s name to Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchman’s Road, Ste. 200, Newark, DE 19702.
