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 Southern Illinois.
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.
