Karl Stanton Koertge, age 81, of Chauncey, Illinois, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at his home.
Karl Stanton Koertge, age 81, of Chauncey, Illinois, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at his home. Karl was born November 20, 1943, in Olney, Illinois to parents, Forrest Jackson Koertge and Carmen (Paddick) Koertge. He married Lynda (Conover) Koertge on October 25, 1963.
Karl’s grade school teacher always thought he would be a doctor or a lawyer, but after a few semesters of study at Eastern Illinois University, the land lured him back home. He chose to farm and homestead on his great-grandfather’s sesquicentennial farm in Cranston, Illinois. He was an early proponent of no-till farming, priding himself as a true steward of the land.
Karl enjoyed a plethora of hobbies throughout his life. He was a distance biker, a deer hunter, and rode three-wheelers with many friends and family. He was also a life-long liberal democrat.
After retiring at 59, Karl turned to woodworking and welding crafts. His specialties included birdhouses, wheelbarrows, and sunflowers he welded from old, rotary hoe wheels. If one looks closely, Karl’s sunflowers can be spotted, tucked into yards and gardens far and wide.
Karl is survived by daughters, Kourtney Koertge of Urbana, Illinois, Whitney Koertge of Urbana, Illinois, two granddaughters, Kendall (Darren) Riskedal of Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, Jalyne Herren of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and great-grandchildren, Owen and Edla Riskedal; siblings, Noretta (Deborah) Koertge of Bloomington, Indiana, Jack Koertge of Claremont, Illinois, and Karen (Dan) Tajbl of Auburn, California.
Karl was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacey Koertge.
Private graveside services were conducted. Memorial contributions may be made in Karl’s memory to a non-profit of your choice.
