Kenneth N. Schuetz, age 89, of Breese passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023.
Kenneth was born September 2, 1934, to Gilbert and Thekla (nee Blanken) Schuetz in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in New Baden.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Irene (nee Schroer) Schuetz, who passed away on April 10, 2022; siblings Gilbert Schuetz, Jr., Mary Ann (Leroy) Lehde, Doris Waltrip, Donald (Sandra) Schuetz, Floyd Schuetz, Earl (Barb) Schuetz, Delmar Wulf, and Robert Rolves; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Leona (nee Hoh) Schroer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Margie Loepker, Richard (Lola) Schroer, Olivia Jackson, Ralph Schroer, and Raymond Schroer.
Kenneth is survived by his daughter Catherine (Steven) Witaschek of Troy, his son Thomas Schuetz of Breese, and grandchildren Zachary, Jacob and Nicholas Witaschek of Troy; sisters Janet Wulf of Addieville, Diane (Robert) Terveer of Freeburg, and Carol Rolves of Albers; sister-in-law Margie (Ron) Huelsmann of Trenton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kenneth possessed a strong work ethic and enjoyed the life of a dairy farmer. Although he didn’t grow up on a farm, Kenneth started farming early in life and had a love for the land, John Deere tractors, and Ford vehicles. He continued to work on the family farm well into his mid-80s. Kenneth converted to Catholicism as a young adult and was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Beckemeyer, Clinton County Farm Bureau, Breese Knights of Columbus 2869, and Mid-America Dairy Farmers. Kenneth proudly served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 and the United States Army Reserves from 1956-1962. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, playing pinochle, and driving through the countryside looking at crops.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 27, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Church in Beckemeyer with Fr. Chuck Tuttle, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Beckemeyer. Visitation will be held at St. Anthony’s Church on Monday, November 27, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Schuetz are suggested to St. Anthony’s Church, Holthaus Kampwerth American Legion Post 1227, Beckemeyer, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Memorial donations will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL 62231.
Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
