Curt Ellmann

Curt J Ellmann, age 61 of Madison, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 after courageously waging a 26 year battle with multiple sclerosis (MS). He was born October 23rd, 1963 in Milwaukee, WI, the son of William and Margaret Ellmann.

He left us with his humor intact. His dad jokes, puns, and life philosophy of "Could Be Worse" will be missed by all who knew him. He was incredibly kind, curious and always grateful for the love and support of his family and friends.

Curt earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1986. He began his career as the lead developer in the Office System Network (OSN) Group with UW Madison’s Administrative Data Processing (ADP) Department. He later worked for the Library and Information Retrieval Area (LIRA) Group. In both roles, Curt’s work had campus wide impact. He was credited with innovations in email networking and graphical user interfaces. Curt also volunteered his skills and consulted, developing a billing system used by a local counseling service.

In 1993, Curt received his master's degree in Computer Science from UW Madison and joined the Computer Science department working on an advanced database project. His work earned him a patent, and the research group’s intellectual property was later acquired by NCR. Curt and his team transitioned to NCR, establishing a Madison-based research lab to continue their work.

He eventually returned to campus to work with the Campus Enterprise Group within the Division of Information Technology (DoIT), before stepping away due to the progression of his MS. Before his illness, Curt planned his days around the weather. On windy afternoons, he could be found sailboarding at Law Park. Weekends were for road biking, and he commuted year-round on his yellow Cannondale. For longer trips, and to haul his sailboards, he relied on his beloved green and tan VW bus.

He married Rosana Perez in Madison on August 1, 1992. They honeymooned at an undisclosed location in the Mediterranean. This was the first of many trips and adventures. They shared 33 years. Together they raised two above average kids and built a community of lifelong friends in their Nakoma neighborhood. Curt participated in the neighborhood Twelfth Night production, Fourth of July Parades and countless block parties. He was known for his rendition of the “The Element Song” and could sing every word to songs in the the Beatles White Album.

Curt and family spent many summers on Lake Superior and visiting his parents in Ladysmith. Curt’s skills with a fly rod were legendary. Adam will especially miss the fishing trips, where sometimes it wasn’t just fish that got tossed back into the water.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Cristina. Together, they were both the life of every family gathering and each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Throughout the difficult times they both endured, they never lost their positive attitude, sense of humor or ability to be kind to everyone they met.

Curt is also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Jose Perez, and his mother-in-law, Maria Mercedes Perez. Curt is survived by his wife Rosana, son Adam, sister Susan (Gary) Hostetler, brother-in-law Fernando, wife Carol, nephews Alex and Michael Perez, parents William and Margaret Ellmann, Aunt Karen Sy, and Ivy, the wonder dog.

The family would like to thank the UW-Hospital doctors and staff, and Agrace Hospice for their at home assistance and respite care, especially RN Toni, for her care of both Curt and Cristina.

Also all of the medical professionals who paid their house a visit over the last several years. A special thanks to all of the friends and family who were drafted into Team Curt during Cristina's leukemia battle, made even more difficult during COVID.

Donations in Curt's memory can be made to the National MS Society and Agrace Hospice.

A celebration of life will be held at the Memorial Union - Sunset Lounge, 800 Langdon Street, on August 2, 2025 from 1-3pm.