Cyril B. "Pete" Korte

Cyril B. "Pete" Korte, age 85 of Highland, IL, died Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at his home in Highland, IL. On Saturday, July 12, 1958, he married Jane E. Korte nee Luitjohan at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, Illinois, who survives. Pete was born, February 3, 1938, to Ben and Mary (Toennies) Korte in Damiansville, IL, the 11th of 12 children. He attended Damiansville Elementary School and one year of Aviston High School. He started his career with Basler Electric when he was 16 years old; he joined the U.S. Army Reserve when he was 19. He and Jane were just kids when they met, while their older siblings were dating. With a small loan from his father-in-law, Pete bought a backhoe and started doing small jobs around Highland. Soon after, he joined forces with his brother-in-law, Joe Luitjohan, to create Korte & Luitjohan Excavating Contractors, Inc. In 1959, he and Joe joined the Operating Engineers Local 520 with card numbers 39 and 40. Starting as a utility contractor, today their creation has become a significant part of the metro-St. Louis building scene. Over the years, his business ventures included a tree moving business, a strawberry farm, a crane service, mini warehouses, the Beagle Inn Bar and Grill, a Made Rite restaurant, and last but not least, a Highland establishment, Windows on Broadway. He was involved in many civic organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Highland Jaycees; he was a volunteer fire fighter for the City of Highland, a board member for the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA), Trustee for the Operators Benefit Fund, a board member for Camp Ondessonk, a regionally recognized Catholic youth camp and a member of St. Paul’s choir. As a member of those organizations and his parish, he chaired the St. Paul Kirchenfest and the Jaycees Highland Homecoming in both 1976. He served as president of the Jaycees chapter, and of SIBA. He also started the annual Camp Ondessonk Golf Scramble, which is in its 28th year. In 2019 he received the Highland Chamber of Commerce 2019 Homer Poss Lifetime Achievement Award; Pete made a significant positive impact on the Southern Illinois area. Survivors include: Wife - Jane E. Korte (nee Luitjohan), Highland, IL Son - Gregg E. (Celeste) Korte, Edwardsville, IL Son - Kevin G. (Kathie) Korte, Breese, IL Daughter - Gloria A. (Kenneth) Toennies, Trenton, IL Daughter - Sandra A. (Fiance Jeff Irwin) Bretz, Oakdale, IL Daughter - Janice M. (Cliff) Korte-Couch, Highland, IL Daughter - Tammara J. (Luke) Schutzenhofer, Highland, IL Daughter - Karen J. Boulanger, Highland, IL Grandchild - Kara (Andrew) McGarrahan Grandchild - Kayla (James) Cowell Grandchild - Matt Korte Grandchild - Jared Korte Grandchild - Marta Korte Grandchild - Jenny (Mike) Rivera Grandchild - Joe Feldman Grandchild - Karen Miller Grandchild - Lance (Sarah) Toennies Grandchild - Larissa (Mark) Chapman Grandchild - Abbie (Buster) Hendricks Grandchild - Chelsie (Luke) Voss Grandchild - Sarah (Jake) Frederking Grandchild - Matthew Bretz Grandchild - Samantha (Tyler) Kathmann Grandchild - Benjamyn (Siarra) Brinker Grandchild - CJ (Significant Other Kim Wallner) Couch Grandchild - Amanda (Bruce) Bradley Grandchild - Jacob (Fiancee Bailey Snell) Couch Grandchild - Jayna (Collin) Frank Grandchild - Kaitlin (Tommy) Kloss Grandchild - Molly (Joe) Middleton Grandchild - Lydia Schutzenhofer Grandchild - Danielle Boulanger Grandchild - Aaron (Fiancee Taylor Goring) Boulanger Grandchild - Jon Patrick Boulanger Grandchild - Wilson Boulanger Grandchild - Miriam Boulanger Great Grandchildren - 36 Great Great Grandchildren - 2 Brother - Jerome "Dick" (Clara) Korte, Collinsville, IL. He was preceded in death by: Father - Ben Henry Korte Mother - Mary Korte (nee Toennies) Twin Boys - Keith and Kevin Son-In-Law - Dr. Matthew W. Bretz, D.C. - Died 12/18/2012 Son-In-Law - Jon Wilson Boulanger - Died 10/29/2021 Grandchild - Gabrielle Boulanger - 2/14/2013 Sister - Marie Rolves Sister - Alvina Luitjohan Sister - Sister Florence Korte, ASC Sister - Alice Luitjohan Sister - Sister Mary Judith Korte, ASC Brother - George Korte Brother - Joe Korte Brother - Ferdinand Korte Brother - Edmund Korte Brother - Raymond W. "Ray" Korte Brother-In-Law - Louis Rolves Brother-In-Law - Francis Luitjohan Brother-In-Law - John Luitjohan Sister-In-Law - Agnes Korte Sister-In-Law - Veronica Korte Sister-In-Law - Jeannie Korte. Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Trinity Hall, St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL (Please Enter At The South Entrance) and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 29, 2023, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL, with Fr. Pat G. Jakel, Pastor, Celebrant. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Ondessonk or St. Paul School Educational Foundation.

Cyril B. "Pete" Korte

February 3, 1938 - September 26, 2023