Glenn Krumwiede

In loving memory of Glenn Richard Krumwiede, known affectionately as Dee to his friends and loved ones, whose life's journey came to a reluctant but peaceful close on the 24th of March, 2024. Born in the year of our Lord 1948, on the 8th of June, in the town of Bensenville, Illinois, Dee was a man whose very presence was a testament to the virtues of kindness, creativity, and humor. Dee traversed the path of life with a jovial spirit and a craftsman's hand. Educated at Fenton High School in the town of his birth, he shaped the world around him with his talents and passions. His days were spent amidst the gleam of vintage automobiles and the scent of polished wood as he lent his skills to the noble trades of classic car restoration, custom cabinet making and antique furniture restoration. His hands, both strong and deft, breathed new life into the relics of yesteryear. The Chicago Auto Show of the 1980s and '90s knew well his expertise, for there he stood as a vintage and classic auto-body mechanic, a master among the vehicles of times gone by. His legacy in this realm was one of unrivaled craftsmanship and an unwavering dedication to the art of restoration. Yet, Dee was not a man of singular pursuits; his heart beat in harmony with his 12-string guitar, and his voice rose in song, serenading friends on the earth and now in the heavens. He was a bard in his own right, weaving words into poetry that captured the essence of his human experience. The subjects of his poems with titles like "Eyes", "Faith" and "Emma" while simple in title, illustrated his depth and sincerity of thought. His love for family history was a noble quest, a journey through the generations to preserve the photos, paintings, stories and legacies of those who came before. In his younger times, when able-bodied, he found solace and strength in the rhythmic cadence of running, and in the disciplined art of Taekwondo. Once described as a multi-layered "onion", Dee's life was a tapestry of diverse threads, each a vibrant color in the portrait of his existence. Illustrating Dee's dichotomy, one of his poems called "On my Own" exclaims "On my own I can do anything, that is when I'm at my best" while another of his poems called "Friends" he clarifies "God. provides… friends to help me, to share prayers, to lessen fear". Another poet, John Donne scribed, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent." Dee was consistent in his independence AND his reliance on and love for God, friends and family. As a member of the First Baptist church in Darlington, Dee expressed and practiced his faith among his friends. To speak of his kin is to tell of a love that endures beyond earthly existence. Carmi, his wife stood by his side through unpassable obstacles. His progeny, Kim Marmolejo, daughter, and Kevin Krumwiede, son, alongside Sandra, his daughter-in-law, and Derek Rhatigan, his step-son with Julie, will carry forth the torch of his legacy. The laughter and wonder of his grandchildren—Ahren, Austin, Alex, Adam, Ian and Anna—were the jewels in his crown, and Rowan, his great-grandchild, the sparkle in his eye. In the company of his sister, Rolita Rateike-Miller, brother Richard Allen Krumwiede and the myriad of nieces and nephews, Dee's life was a chorus of familial harmony from his early days to his later years. As the stars do look down upon us, so too do our ancestors. Dee now joins the celestial assembly with his father, Glenn Henry and his mother, Opal Rosalie. He reunites around heavenly campfires with his brother, Richard Allen and his brother-in-law, William Kent Miller to play their guitars and trade songs both old and new. In the gardens of eternity, he is reunited with and lifting his beloved baby granddaughter, Emma with two strong and healthy arms. Let us not mourn, for his was a life rich in joy and creation. In the echoes of engines and the melodies of strings, in the grain of restored wood and the whispered verses of poems, Glenn Richard "Dee" Krumwiede lives on. His spirit, a gentle wind upon the fields of our memories, reminds us that though his earthly sojourn has ceased, his essence is immortal, woven into the fabric of the lives he touched. Fare thee well, dear Dee, dear dad, dear grandpa, dear brother, dear uncle, until we meet again in that undiscovered country from where no traveler returns. Your tale, while without strife, is one of love, laughter, and the indelible mark of a life well-lived. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Dee's name. This poem was written by Dee: Faith When I was weak and broken from a life I lived in sin, A hand reached out and touched me. It touched me from within. The hand held my shattered heart with tenderness and love Then it guided me towards healing with a kind and gentle shove. A voice I'd never heard before, asked "Is this anger that I see? Anger only causes pain, so give it here to Me" But these memories, they haunt me. I can't seem to let them go. And how can I just give them to someone I don't know? The voice said "Son, I've always been here, and I talk to you each day. I always knew there'd come a time you'd hear the things I say. And now that you can hear Me and all that wonder I can share, Walk with me and talk with Me and I'll show how much I care." "The pain that you have suffered has made you who you are. And it's given you an inner strength I know will take you far. At those times when you feel weaker and your anger fills your head, That's the time I'll be beside you to recall the things I've said." "The time has come to live your life through faith you place in Me. So, take my hand and be prepared for the wonders you will see. Just keep your faith and show your love and I will do the rest. If you do these things, you'll surely find how many ways you're blessed." Glenn "Dee" Krumwiede