Norbert Joseph Reiter

NAME / ANNOUNCEMENT Norbert Joseph Reiter, 82, Mount Prospect, Illinois passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 29, 2023, while at hospice at The Moorings of Arlington Heights, Illinois LIFE Norbert was born on July 19, 1940, in Schonau, Germany. His parents were Anna Leyrer (Wasl) and Josef Reiter. Norbert was never able to meet Josef as he was killed in Belgium during the World War II. Norbert was raised by Anna Leyrer (Wasl) and were supported by the Klima family during and after World War II. During that time Anna met Michael Leyrer and shortly thereafter were married. Anna and Michael had a child, Ingrid Osiecki (Leyrer), in 1946. Ingrid is Norbert’s only sister and sibling. In 1952, the family immigrated to the United States. They traveled by boat for 2 weeks from Germany to New Orleans, Louisiana and continued to Chicago, Illinois, by train, where they eventually reunited with the Leyrer family. Norbert grew up in Chicago and attended Saint Alphonsus Elementary School and Lakeview High School. Norbert met Perpetua Reiter (Mueller) while working at a grocery store. Their courtship was briefly interrupted when Norbert enlisted in the US Army from 1960 to 1962 and was stationed in Germany after basic training in Fort Hamilton, New York. Despite being apart, their relationship remained strong, and they were married on May 25, 1963. Norbert and Perpetua were blessed to start a family, having three children, Michael Josef Reiter in 1964, Tina Marie Lee (Reiter) in 1967, and , Kenneth Mathew Reiter, in 1970. Norbert was employed for over 60 years at Jewel Foods. Norbert was a tireless worker supporting his family and often worked early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays to earn a few extra dollars. Upon retirement in 2020, Norbert had been the most senior driver at Jewel Foods, which was one of his most proud achievements and was awarded “Driver of the Year”. The Reiter family spent most of their time traveling, playing with friends and family, and spending time with the Chicago Kickers football club, activities at Shabbona Park in the Chicago Park District, and religious activities at Saint Priscilla Catholic School and Parish. Since Norbert was such a hard worker, he did not have much time for hobbies and other activities, but throughout his life he enjoyed skiing, bike riding, racquetball, traveling, and gardening. His gardens were his passion and his comfort. One of the few disappointments in Norbert’s life was that he was never able to visit the grave of his father, Josef Reiter, who was killed in Belgium during World War II and is buried somewhere in Europe. And the family hopes to visit Europe in the very near future to find the location of Josef Reiter’s grave and fulfill Norbert’s wishes. FAMILY Norbert is survived by: • Perpetua his wife, who lives in Illinois. • Ingrid Osiecki, his sister, and her husband, Wayne Osiecki, who live in Illinois. • Michael Josef Reiter, his elder son, and his wife Hannah MacDonald-Reiter, and her two sons, Boyd MacDonald and Lincoln MacDonald, who live in Georgia. • Tina Marie Lee, his only daughter, who lives in Illinois, and her three children, Courtney Lee, who lives in Kansas, Cody Lee, who lives in Texas, and MacKenzie Lee, who lives with Tina Marie in Illinois. • Kenneth Mathew Reiter, his younger son, and his wife Kristin Leanne Reiter, and their two children, Madeleine Grace Reiter and Claudia Shea Reiter, who live in North Carolina. Norbert wanted all of his grandchildren to know how much he loved each of them and how very proud he was of all of them. Each of them was special to him and he wished for all of their dreams to come true. Norbert’s mother, father and stepfather all preceded him. Anna Leyrer passed away in 2016 and his stepfather, Michael Leyrer passed away in 2001. Josef Reiter passed away in 1940 shortly before Norbert’s birth. SERVICE Cremation and Funeral Home Norbert will be cremated at Matz Funeral Home located at 410 E Rand Rd, Mt Prospect, IL 60056. No services are planned at Matz Funeral Home, but they can be reached at Phone: 847 394 2336 for further information. Funeral Mass The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Saint Raymond of Peñafort Catholic Church located at 301 S I Oka Ave, Mount Prospect, IL 60056, Phone: 847 253 8600. Visitation at 10am and Mass at 11am. Burial and Reception Following the funeral mass, the burial will be held at Saint Adalbert Cemetery at 6800 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714 Phone: 847 647 9845 The reception will be held at White Eagle Restaurant at 6839 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714-4482 Phone: 847 647 0660. The reception will begin at approximately 2pm. Donations & Memorial In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Norbert Reiter at the following organizations: Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 Attn: Tributes www.chicagobotanic.org/donate/tribute Phone: 847 835 8333 Greater Chicago Food Depository 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632 www.chicagosfoodbank.org Phone: 773 247 3663 Thank you to family and friends for your love and support. We would also like to thank the healthcare professionals at Northwest Community Hospital, The Moorings at Arlington Heights, Arosa Care and Accord Hospice that provided comfort to Norbert during his final days with us. Norbert Reiter . . . he was a selfless man and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend . . .may he rest in peace..

Norbert Joseph Reiter

July 19, 1940 - June 29, 2023