W. Lee Deutsche

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.