RACINE - Norbert T. Kosterman, 95, passed away at Manor Care Center in Kenosha on Saturday, May 8, 2010. He was born in Racine on December 25, 1914, the son of the late Charles and Catherine (nee: Komas) Kosterman. On May 28, 1941, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, he married the love of his life, the former Margaret Mary Hegeman. Mr. Kosterman graduated from St. Mary's Elementary School. He attended St. Catherine's High School and graduated from Racine Vocational School. Mr. Kosterman had been employed by Young Radiator for four years. He then co-owned and operated the IGA Store at 1006 Center Street along with his sister, Marie Kosterman Ruffalo. Later, along with his brother- in-law, Frank La Brasca, he owned and operated the West Racine IGA Superette on Washington Avenue. Mr. Kosterman was employed as a Custodian for the Racine Unified School District from 1953 until his retirement in 1976. In his retirement years, Mr. Kosterman remained physically active. Weather permitting, he'd walked either three miles a day or ride his bicycle from his West Racine home to Kenosha and back. Many times, he and his wife vacationed in other parts of Wisconsin to ride the bike trails. Later on, like many other seniors, he enjoyed bus trips to the casinos in the State and gambling in Laughlin, Nev. He was an avid Packer fan and a die-hard White Sox fan. His faith in God and his family were the two top priorities of his life. Surviving are his wife, Margaret Mary; their children, Thomas (Carole) Kosterman of Racine, Susan (Peter) Altenbach of Franksville, and Michael (Kathleen) Kosterman; son-in-law, James (Tammi) Charnon, all of Racine; 11 grandchildren, Shelley (Jon) Keiser, Scott (Danielle) Kosterman, all of Racine, Jeffrey (Crystal) Altenbach of Glendale, Ariz., Jennifer (Michael) Maxwell, Joseph (Jennifer) Altenbach, all of Racine, Michael (Kristin) Kosterman of Chippewa Falls, Marissa Kosterman, Mark Kosterman, Kim (John) Perez, all of Racine, Christine (David) Bergman of Whitewater, and David (Melissa) Charnon of Milwaukee; 27 great- grandchildren; and sister, Laverne Golden of Chanhassen, Minn. His nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends further survive him. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kosterman was preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine Charnon; and sisters and brothers, Verna Maller, Marie Ruffalo, Ruth Small, Dorothy Cook, Raymond Kosterman, Caroline Buehler, Charles Kosterman, Rita Murphy, and Bernice Zens. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in St. Edward Catholic Church, 15th Street and Grove Avenue, with Rev. Allen Bratkowski officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be in the church on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until the time of the Mass. The family has suggested memorials to either St. Catherine's High School, St. Edward Catholic Church, or Hospice Alliance. DRAEGER-LANGENDORF FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY 4600 County Line Road 552-9000 www.draeger-langendorf.com

Published in Racine Journal Times on May 11, 2010 Email