Funeral services Corwin S. Kautz, age 73, of New Leipzig will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2008 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig with Pastor John Amundson, officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery north of New Leipzig with full military honors afforded by the Baesler–Achtenberg American Legion Post #211 of New Leipzig.


A Family Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.


Marjorie Mueller will be the organist and special music will be provided by Brian and Gloria Roth.


Serving as casketbearers are Kendall Kautz, Zachary Seidler, Glenn Seidler, Tim Seidler, LeRoy Kautz Jr., and Sam Kautz. All family and friends are considered Honorary Casketbearers.


A memorial has been established.


Corwin Samuel Kautz was born on August 18, 1935 at New Leipzig, ND, the son of Sam and Erna (Hertz) Kautz. He grew up on their farm north of New Leipzig. He attended country school at Leipzig School District #14, School #1 and completed the 8th grade. Corwin spent two years in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. On July 27, 1958, Corwin married Alvina Maier at the Neuburg Church north of Burt. They lived in a trailer house on the Sam Kautz farm. Corwin worked for Gotthold Hertz and Herbert Wolff doing farm work. In 1959, Corwin and Alvina moved to New Leipzig and Corwin started working for Hertz Brothers, Inc. where he worked for 16 years. He continued his employment at the New Leipzig Public School as a custodian for 28 years retiring in 2003.


Corwin served on the New Leipzig Development Association Board for 38 years as president, director and caretaker. No job was too big for Corwin to accomplish. He was a volunteer for the New Leipzig Ambulance for many years. He was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church and has been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church since the Trinity Church disbanded in 1960. Corwin and Alvina were honored for their many years of service to the New Leipzig community as Parade Marshals for the New Leipzig Oktoberfest in 2005.


Corwin loved spending time with his grandchildren whom he adored. He also spent a lot of time at the farm with his dad and son, Cordell over the years. When he wasn't busy with the rest of his commitments, he was a dedicated Boston Red Sox fan. You could have a conversation anytime about the Red Sox and Corwin could update you about any player, game, or their playing record. He and his son, Clint spent many hours discussing sports. Corwin had a love for the game of baseball from the time he was a young boy playing games with his brothers and the kids in the farming neighborhood, sometimes walking several miles to put together a game.


Corwin passed from this life after a long health battle on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin.


Corwin leaves behind his dedicated wife, Alvina; two sons, Cordell (Bonnie) Kautz, Elgin, ND; Clint (Kathy) Kautz, Bismarck, ND; two grandchildren, Kendall and Kylee Kautz, Bismarck, ND; his father, Sam Kautz, New Leipzig, ND; two brothers, LeRoy (Dodie) Kautz, Jamestown, ND and Howard (LuElla) Kautz, Truman, MN; two sisters, Florence (Delmar) Seidler, New Leipzig, ND; Priscilla (Bob) Wiederhold, Littleton, CO; well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.


Corwin was preceded in death by his mother, Erna Kautz.


Visitation will be Thursday, October 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.