W. Lee Deutsche

1941-04-01 - 2022-01-22

Funeral Home: Crete Funeral Home 1182 Main Street Crete IL (Map-it)

Visitation: Friday, January 28th from 2pm to 8pm at St. Paul UCC Church in Monee

Service Date: 2022-01-29

Service Time: Saturday at 11AM


Place of Service: St. Paul UCC 5323 W Margaret Street, Monee, Illinois (Map-it)

Cemetery: St. Paul's UCC Cemetery Maragret Street, Monee, Illinois (Map-it)

Info: 708-672-7600

Web: https://www.cretefuneralhome.com/ (Go)

W. Lee Deutsche, 80, of Crete, Illinois, passed away on January 22, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on April 1, 1941, to LeRoy and Esther (Bartels) Deutsche. Lee graduated from Crete-Monee High School in 1959 and from Arkansas State University in 1964, with a BS degree in Animal Husbandry.

As a high school FFA project, Lee purchased a few Shorthorn heifers. Raising and breeding Registered Shorthorn Cattle became a lifelong passion as a proud member of the American Shorthorn Association. Lee showed his cattle nationally, and in Canada. His reputation for knowledge of registered Shorthorn pedigrees was second to none. He also raised corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, with his father, brother, and sons.

The Deutsche Family adopted and promoted land and water conservation practices such as terraces and no-till farming. Lee served on the Will/South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors. The Deutsche Family represented the region as Conservation Farm Family of the Year in 1982, and traveled to both the state and national conventions. Lee was the Nature Conservancy Citizen of the Year in 2016.

Lee also served his community on the Crete-Monee 201-U Board of Education, the Will County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the Nature Conservancy Foundation Board, the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the Will County Board. Lee was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and served on many church boards. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities, and was a die hard Cubs fan who celebrated their long-awaited World Series Championship in 2016.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sharon, infant granddaughter Marissa Sartori, and stepson TD Gearhart. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; children Monica (Tim) Sartori, Darren, Amy, and Kyle (Kelly) Deutsche; stepchildren Mary Margaret (Rich) Tamez, and Elizabeth (Adam) Oestmann; grandchildren Justin and Paige Sartori, Ben and Jack Deutsche, Marisa (Cody) Hawk, Theresa Tamez, Emma and Anna Oestmann; great grandchildren Freya and June Hawk; brother David (Rita) Deutsche, and many brothers and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s UCC, the Nature Foundation, or Will County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022, from 2:00-8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., with a funeral service at 11:00, and burial and luncheon to follow at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 5323 W. Margaret St., Monee, Illinois, 60449. Masks are expected to be worn at the church. The service will be livestreamed on facebook.com/stpaulsmonee.  Arrangements entrusted to Crete Funeral Home, 1182 Main Street, Crete, IL.  Info:  (708) 672-7600.

 

Condolences

5 Comments

  1. Tom Weigel on January 26, 2022 at 6:15 pm
    Mary Ann sorry for your loss. May Lee Rest In Peace.


  2. Will-So. Cook Soil & Water Conservation District - Board & Staff on January 27, 2022 at 3:59 pm
    Please Accept Our Deepest Condolences.


  3. Judy and Rob Ogalla on January 28, 2022 at 1:11 pm
    Dearest Mary Ann and kids, Lee’s character, intelligence and love to farming will be etched in our minds for as long as we live. What an outstanding person to have called, friend. He will forever be missed


  4. Raymond A. Nash on January 29, 2022 at 2:27 pm
    Dear Mary Ann and family,
    I’m so sorry to hear of Lee”s passing. He was absolutely a wonderful gentleman of the old school. I will always remember
    his kindness and gentle spirit and passion to always do the right thing. The patriotism and passion for Honorable Government Service possessed in full measure by Lee and yourself have made this country and this county a better place to live. Thank you, and may God speedily give you and your family solace and comfort as you go through this time of grief and sorrow.

    Very Sincerely and Respectfully,

    Raymond A. Nash,
    Associate Circuit Judge,
    12th Judicial Circuit
    Will County Illinois



  5. Judy Bredeweg on January 29, 2022 at 10:15 pm
    Mary Ann: So sorry to hear about Lee.. Please accept my prayers. We are never prepared to let go of those we love. Take care.


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