Curtis “Curt” Jepson, 84, of Brookfield, Wisconsin, died peacefully at home on March 13, 2026. Known to his grandkids as “Bumpy” and most of the Greater Milwaukee area as “The Bee Man”, Curt was born on November 14, 1941. He grew up (and made some trouble) in Elroy, Wisconsin. From making a game of dodging oncoming cars on Main Street (and spending a year in a full-body cast as a result) to climbing to the top of the town's water tower on a dare (thankfully, he didn't fall), Curt's childhood was full of (mis)adventures.

After graduating from high school, Curt briefly attended UW-Platteville, majoring in art. Instead, he pursued a master’s degree in duck hunting and soon dropped out of his university program.

Curt was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1964 and served in Vietnam with Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, 18th Artillery. After returning home in 1966, he married his longtime sweetheart, Leslee (Brackob). They soon started a family, and together, Curt and Leslee built a life centered on parenting, adventure, and hard work. Curt spent years balancing fatherhood, full-time work, and night classes at Marquette University, graduating in 1979. He worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a systems analyst before leaving in the early ‘80s to become an entrepreneur.

Curt was an avid, lifelong outdoorsman and loved nothing more than spending time in nature. He could while away a day, a weekend, or more hunting, fishing, and foraging for mushrooms (top marks go to morels, his favorite fungi), often with a daughter, grandchild, or his beloved son-in-law by his side. Deer season was the highlight of every year, and Curt delighted in spending time at the family cabin in the Northwoods with his favorite people.

Best known throughout Greater Milwaukee as The Bee Man, Curt owned the first extermination company in the metro area to specialize in stinging insects. He opened The Bee Man in the early 1980s and later opened Ageless Awnings, an awning fabrication and repair company. Curt ran both businesses right up until his death, declaring more than once, “I’ll die before I retire.” As it turns out, he was correct.

Curt was preceded in death by his mother, Catherine “Katie” (Nelson) Jepson; father, Hugh Jepson; and infant brother, Peter Clarence. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Leslee (Brackob); daughters, Leah and Rachel Jepson Wolf (Pete Bunch Wolf); grandchildren, Sage (Beirgan) and Lupine; siblings: Chris, Joye (Chuck) McAllum, and Clark; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

True to his propensity for lateness, a celebration of Curt’s life will be held on July 11, 2026, at Hubbard Park Lodge, 3565 N Morris Blvd, Milwaukee. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends are encouraged to stay afterward for appetizers, conversation, and the sharing of stories.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a non-profit close to Curt's heart.