Kurt C. Friedenauer

He was a man of few words, yet when he spoke, people listened. He knew how to capture the attention of an entire room, those around hanging on to every word he said. A hockey scholarship paid his way through St. Cloud State University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Social work, with a minor in Business Administration. Operating the local trash truck was just “for fun”, but his passion for children, their wellbeing and future, led him down a very successful career path. It began with his first “big boy job” as a child counselor for Rosecrance in 1970, followed by the Director of Juvenile Corrections for the State of Idaho from 1982 - 1996. Job titles such as Deputy Director of Juvenile Justice for Illinois, VP of Adolescent Substance Abuse for Rosecrance Health Network, Director of State Juvenile Agency, and CEO for Our Children’s Homestead, are just a few highlights of his major accomplishments during his life. A resume he worked very hard for and was very proud of.
However, those who knew him may not have known much about his resume of life. He loved to hunt. Duck, pheasant, turkey, and the occasional big game. He dressed the part, head to toe in Cabela’s gear, but that didn’t make him a better shot. Fishing. He loved fishing. Fly fishing or ice fishing in the snake river, deep sea fishing in Alaska, or the Gulf of Mexico, or even just fishing in a pond, with a pole in hand he was a happy man. Living in Idaho for 13 years, he would say repeatedly, “this is God’s country”. He loved to golf, mostly the social part of it. He had a story to top every story told. A born chef, he could cook anything better than a restaurant, and would be sure to tell you so. He loved a good bottle of wine, and the occasional stogie.
Green Bay Packers, Boston Red Sox, & the Chicago Blackhawks were the only games allowed on his TV. EVER! The mobil gas station was his most favorite cup of coffee, and he never forgot donuts for his grandkids.
What was always known was his unmeasurable love for his family, and friends. A husband, father, papa, and friend. Born in Rockford, IL on October 11, 1950, Kurt Charles Friedenauer passed away on December 29, 2016 of a short illness.
Survived by his wife Colleen of 46 years, his daughters Angie and Lindsey, their families, along with his brothers, sister, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services to honor Kurt will be held January 5th 2016. A visitation at 12:30, followed by funeral services at 2pm. Fitzgerald Funeral home, Mulford Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Our Children’s Homestead, 387 Shuman Blvd, Naperville, IL 60563. (630) 369-0004