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Karl came to Holy Ghost school in Wood Dale in the second grade.  His family moved into our neighborhood and we quickly became great friends. 

 

Throughout elementary school Karl was a leader.  He we won the talent shows playing the accordion at a level that surpassed everyone else’s musical abilities.  Karl played center position on our class basketball team.  He wore kneepads with the word “Duke” lettered on each.  So we called him “Duke.”   Then we all lettered different names on our kneepads. 

 

When the ‘twist’ became popular he had the best dance moves.  Later in life he went on to become a dance instructor.   

 

Around 7^th grade Karl started drum lessons and he went on to be the first drummer for the band “The Proper Strangers.”

 

We ran in different circles in high school, but at our 40^th  class reunion he and I had the opportunity to revisit our past.  Karl was every bit the friend I knew decades earlier. 

 

The proper Strangers played at that reunion.  Karl had left the band a long time ago but they asked him to sit in for a set.  I know it meant a lot to him.   

We remained friends all our lives. Harry was always a little special a one of a kind. Note how he poses while I work! Miss everything about him

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It was always entertaining to meet Harry strolling the hall.  Like meeting a wild and crazy guy and talking to the hippee dippy weather man.  Man
 

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I met Boe in high school.  We spent many summer nights cruising in his ford mustang convertible.  I remember Bocek getting that car airborne crossing the tracks by Veteran’s park to escape an attack in the year of the great egg wars.    

 

In the winter we plowed parking lots and friends driveways with his willies Jeep.  Pete’s on Irving was one of our clients.  We never charged him so we ate for free and somehow there was always a gallon of red wine by the back door. 

 

Bocek was always a really great guy to be around.  He had a wide variety of friends and seemed comfortable in any circle. 

 

He was a regular in the Tortilla Flats crowd, fishing, swimming and getting drunk in the Kankakee strip mines. 

 

When the bad guys in town were going to bust some heads at a summer dance in Elk Grove.  We all went along in a show of support and curiosity.  Our battle dress of flip flops, shorts and t-shirts definitely showed us to not be the serious fighters.  But, the Elk Grove Police set a trap.  Boe was one of about 30 guys who got busted that night for ‘mob action.’   

 

But that’s the kind of guy he was, friends with everyone, and always ready for a good time.

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Obituary: Remembered with joy, Kathy Bowman, 72, of Powell, Ohio, took her final breaths amongst family on 11 July 2024. Kathy was born in Elmhurst, Illinois to parents Mary and Robert Braun on 14 November 1951. She grew up in Bensenville, Illinois with her two sisters, Bobbie and Lois, and her brother Wayne. She graduated from Fenton High School where she held the principal spot as the first chair flutist for her high school band traveling to Europe to tour. Later, Kathy received her associate degree from Elmhurst College. As a military spouse, Kathy continued traveling the world, immersing herself in several different cultures, learning to play yet another instrument, the dulcimer, and where she developed a passion for foreign cuisine. She would make homemade pierogies, spanakopita, brisket, key lime pie, and waffles discovering that she had a passion for baking. This led to her enrolling in master baker courses where service members and church families alike would request her baking creations. Her faith played a major role in all aspects of her life and providing baking and cooking lessons to immigrant families in her congregation and community was just one way she liked to connect and give back. Kathy and her late husband Clyde were one of the lucky few to have had the distinct privilege of being married for 52 years before his passing. This deep love of one another ingrained a profound sense of loyalty and pride in family which, both blood relations and chosen family members alike, will cherish for years to come. Never one to miss an opportunity to interject a witty retort or a reply with her standard response of “peachy” when asked how she was, Kathy’s smile, which could light up a room, will be immeasurably missed and forever remembered. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Kurt and Wendy Bowman, daughter Courtney Bowman, and grandchildren, Gavin and Harrison Bowman.

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Beautiful smile - beautiful person. That is how I will always remember you. 

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MaryAnn and I were friends in grade school, high school and beyond.  She was a sweet, good hearted person.  Oe of the first to give the nuns a hard time and get the rest of us to go right along with her - all in food fun.  She would ask them if the really had legs and to prove it and the same with their hair.  She could make anyone laugh no matter their mood.  She is missed by many.

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My best man at my wedding passed way to early, he always had that perfect smile! Peace

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I will never forget Bruce singing “Tu lo sai” at vocal competitions. As I learned later, it was not the  usual arrangement of the song, much more romantic than baroque, and it was lovely. For years afterwards, every time I heard that song, I thought of Bruce [just as I never heard “Un bel dì” from Madama Butterfly without thinking of Lynda Placek’s glorious rendition.] We were very lucky to have such talented singers in our choir. 

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I've got a few stories about Bruce.  I'll go with first.  Possibly the first day of school when he came to Johnson school.  I think his parents were from Europe.  He had on lederhosen.  A boy with leather shorts in 3rd grade was almost a scandal.  Bruce learned to fit in with the Bensenville crowd.  It was a long time ago.  I hope I got part of the story correct.   Curt

Dear Donna
So many wonderful high school memories -double dates, sharing clothes, sleep overs.  It’s  hard to pick any one time above the others.  I will always remember you as that beautiful young girl both inside and out, that I knew back in the day. 

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I met Dennis before school started freshman year.  I was less than 95 lbs and he was by comparison a giant.  It was a bit intimidating.  Not only was I probably the smallest guy but I didn't know anyone.  Dennis was sitting on a bench in the locker room bantering with all the big guys.  He stopped when he saw me and said "You going out for football?" Like he was processing the visual.  "Well alright" he said. I liked him.  A friendly giant is a good thing when your small.   He was always friendly throughout HS.
After graduation he was one of the first guys to fully explore the realms of mind expansion.  We ran in similar circles in Bensenville.  Kickapoo Creek Rock Festival was a party we all went to.  Dennis was always fun loving, friendly, accepting and fully self expressed.         
    

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Love you man.We spent so many crazy times together. I can still hear your laugh...

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We became good friends in HS.   George was a weight lifter and had a big chest and arms.  He also could belly dance – which no one else could do.

 

His dad was this gravely-voiced construction guy who everyone feared.  And, he wasn’t shy about tending to George in front of his friends. In the fall season of the great egg wars, George’s house was pumpkin-ed.  The wrath of his  dad was largely responsible for the end of the egg wars.

 

After HS George went on to building houses with his dad.  I worked roofing and did some work for them from time to time.  His dad mellowed and even became friendly.

 

George worked hard and played hard.

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I spent a lot of time with George after high school.  He had a semester in college where Andy Krause and I were in the same dorm.  John Reifsnyder Huff had an appartment with George.  Years later, not using my college diploma, I worked as a carpenter and electrician with George and his father building single family houses and remodeling jobs.  He lived with an intensity that excited the people around him.  He may have pushed himself a little too fast to the finish line.   Curt

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After 50 years, I don't remember much but I do remember you writing a very special entry in my yearbook.  It touched my heart and always stayed with me.  When I heard of your passing, it sadden me deeply and despite our never having a lifelong friendship, I couldn't help but feel the world was missing someone extraordinary.  As I remember it, you were quite profound and were able to describe life in succint terms.  I searched authors of the 60's and came across S. E. Hinton who wrote, The Outsiders.  Ironically, so much like you George!  You left the earth much too soon.  You are missed.
With Love,
Carol