Norbert L. Kuchenmeister Obituary (1931

Norbert L. Kuchenmeister, 86, formerly of Henry, IL, passed away on Thursday May 31, 2018 at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, IL. Norbert was born September 19, 1931 in Almena, WI, to Norbert F. and Carolyn M. (Steffes) Kuchenmeister. He married Mary A. Rodenkirch on June 7, 1958 in North Fond du Lac, WI. He is preceded in death by his wife on March 7, 2013, his grandson, Jeremy Kuchenmeister and parents. Surviving are a sister, Mary Jeanne Kuchenmeister of Rockford, IL and brother, Dennis L. (Doreen) Kuchenmeister, of Ft. Atkinson, WI, sons; Tom (Yolanda) Kuchenmeister of McHenry, IL, Eric (Pam) Kuchenmeister of Hudson, IL, Paul (Pa) Kuchenmeister of Kappa, IL, Karl (Cathy) Kuchenmeister of Kouts, IN, Norbert J. (Elissa) Kuchenmeister of Minneapolis, MN, and a daughter, Gretchen Kuchenmeister of Portland, OR., 13 grandchildren; Katherine (Joey) Jesky, Jordan (Jen) Kuchenmeister, Andrea Perez, Erica (David) Steffen, Johanna Kuchenmeister, Benjamin and Sydney Kuchenmeister, Annie, Nissa, and Oskar Kuchenmeister, Mary, Greg (Bud), and Noah Sicard, and 5 great-grandchildren, Travis and Kia Jesky, Josiah, Jonan, and Emily Steffen. Norbert (Norb) was a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Parish in Henry and was previously a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Henry. Along with his wife Mary, he was very active in the church and prison ministry. Norb proudly served in the Korean War as a member of the Army's 8th Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Regiment. He attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison and played the trombone in the UW Marching Band. He graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree and came to Henry in 1957 as part of the management team for the opening of the BFGoodrich chemical plant and retired in 1991 after 34 years with the company. He served his community as the area Boy Scout Master for several years, a member of the Henry Zoning Board, and after he retired, was a substitute teacher in many area schools. He shared his love of tennis in the 1970's by providing tennis lessons and tournaments to the community. An avid runner and bicyclist, he encouraged all ages of the benefits of running, cycling, and most importantly to enjoy the journey as he completed many marathons, 5K races, and multi-day bike trips. Along with his service to the community, Norb will be remembered for his love of family and those he met along his journey, as well as his love of nature and the cabin he and his wife built and shared with family and friends. He will be dearly missed. Visitation will be Friday June 8, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St., Henry, IL. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday June 9th at 11 a.m. at St. John XXIII Parish - St. Mary's Catholic Church in Henry with a visitation one hour prior to Mass. Father Mike Schaab will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary/Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Henry. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. John XXIII Parish.