1931-2006

Robert John Kazmer

Robert John Kazmer

Dad never gave up.  The older boys were set to the task of reclaiming as much salvageable material as possible from the building and selling it to keep the family afloat.   Dad took a job as manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken in Lake Geneva and started a new fast food business in Elkhorn but it still wasn’t enough to save the farm.   But his greatest task was ensuring that the family stayed together, had food, shelter and clothing.  He always managed to do that with a cheery disposition.  No matter how bad the situation was, he persevered and kept the bad news between himself and Mira.

 

After the farm was foreclosed on, we moved to Whitewater thanks to the help of Dennis and Mary Kapitan.  It was a transitional time.  They couldn’t get a land contract to buy the house so they found a place in Jefferson a few years later.  All the kids kicked in to help the family. 

 

In Jefferson, they started caring for foster kids.  We kids were going to college and starting careers.  Some of our parent’s proudest moments were trying to guide these children who had troubled childhoods.    Some call him dad to this day and are just as much a part of the family as his offspring. 

 

When we talk about grand children, we’re talking boat loads, Joni and Mike have 8, Charley and Val have 6, Wally and Theresa have 4, Myself and Karen have 4, Karen and Don have 3, Rita and Mark have 3, and Thomas and Diane have 1 and Amanda and Joe have 2.            Lots of Grand kids and lots of love.

 

Back in Des Plaines, Robert built railroad sets as a hobby.  He finally found the time to start work on his track after this past Christmas.  Grandpa Kazmer wanted to complete his train set for the grand children.  Charlie and he worked diligently on it until he was unable to make it down the steps.  A few days before he passed away, he wanted so much to complete the project for them.  I went downstairs with Charley playing with and working on the track.  I think grandpa would like all the children and grandchildren to help complete his track and run his engines.

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