Kaspar Potje

WOODSTOCK – Kaspar Potje, 79, of Woodstock, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Sept. 22, 1932, in Klek, Yugoslavia, to Nikolaus and Barbara (Wambach) Potje. He married Rose Edelmann on Oct. 7, 1961, at Saint Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church in Chicago. Rose and Kaspar met at Saint Alphonsus, where they sang together in the choir.
Kaspar lived through the World War II era and became a refugee. His family moved to Chicago, where they started with nothing. He worked very hard to support his family and learned how to become a skilled machinist. He had a very strong work ethic and would do whatever it took to provide for his family. He was a very devout Catholic and a devoted husband and father. He sent all five of his children through Catholic schools, which was very important to him. For many years, he was very active in the church as a Lector at Saint Alphonsus in the German Mass and Saint Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake. He also was a Eucharistic Minister for Sts. Peter and Paul in Cary.
He is survived by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Rose Potje; his son Pete Potje; three daughters, Maria Potje, Anne (Nikhi) Kumaranayagam and Marianne Potje; three grandchildren, August, Olivia and Sonia; and a niece, Margaret Russell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Joseph Potje; his brother, Joseph Potje; two sisters, Magdalena "Leni" Brennessel and Katharina (Kathi) Potje; and a niece, Kathleen Brennessel.
The visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the Mass celebration at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock. Burial will be in Crystal Lake Memorial Park Cemetery.
For information, call Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338-1710.