Michael Kortemeyer
November 21, 1944 ~ May 11, 2023
Michael Arthur Kortemeyer, 78, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2023. A Memorial Mass will be held at10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, with a celebration of life luncheon and sharing of stories following the mass. Mike generously gifted his body to the University of Iowa for medical research. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
Mike married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Susette Courter on February 12, 1966. They enjoyed spending winters in Florida, traveling the world together, and most importantly attending their grandchildren's activities.
Mike was born November 21, 1944, in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of John and Garnetta (Klein) Kortemeyer. He graduated from Waterloo Columbus High School in 1963, and went on to receive a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa, master's degree from Northwest Missouri State and specialist's degree from the University of Iowa. Mike was a life-long educator and coach, positively impacting the lives of so many students. Most notably, he served as high school principal for the Lisbon Community Schools, and superintendent for Louisa-Muscatine and District 158 in Huntley, Illinois, where he retired in 2006.
Mike enjoyed playing golf with Pinky's Golf League, fishing, and having coffee at Bauman's. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Optimist Club. Mike's legacy of education lives on through the Kortemeyer Family Scholarship presented to a graduating senior at the Lisbon Community Schools.
Survivors include his wife Susette; children, Tim (Ann) Kortemeyer, Tom (Amy) Kortemeyer; and Courtney (Kevin) Jasper; grandchildren, Sara (Wyatt), Jay, Ryan, Morgan, Tyler, and Travis; great grandsons, Gus and Abe; sister, Deborah (Leon) Gronowski; and numerous in-laws and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Kortemeyer.
Please share your support and memories with Mike's family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon
Not many people have the ability to impact a community and school the way he did. Since his passing I’ve talked to several people all with a story on how he had some form of impact on their life! He was a great person and will be missed!
Mike was a great friend and cohort. We had many good times together. His impact on our community and school was incredible. he’s the only guy I know that could take a student into his office for discipline and when the door opened again both Mike and the student were smiling. To all the Kortemeyers my deepest sympathies and my ardent prayers are with you all.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kortemeyer family during this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathy to Mike’s family and friends.
Mike and I were good friends during our days of grade school at St. Edward’s and at Columbus High school. We both played football together back in the days and boy did we have fun. Sue, so sorry about Mike. He was a wonderful man and a good friend. Will be in my prayer and may God bless you and your family. R.I.P my friend!!
All my love to all the Kortemeyers. I’m so so sorry.
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was such a special man and made everyone feel like they were his “favorite.”
His smile and humor will be missed. Sending lots of prayers and love to you all.
❤️
Kelli Kerton
When I’d come to the school to do their annual audit, Mike would welcome me and shake my hand, in the process giving me some sort of chocolate. His way of bribing the auditor. Always made my day!
When Mike was the superintendent at L-M, I was his hairdresser. We had so many good talks about family the school the community. He was such a fun man to be around. My heart breaks for you Sue.
My heart breaks for the family. I love you all. Mike gave me my first job in coaching and I never looked back, following that lead into a career in education. He was a great mentor and outstanding role model for all his students and faculty. Rest in Peace
Sue, Our deepest sympathies to you and your family on the passing of Mike. He will be misssed.
Mike and Sue made a trip to watch Iowa vs Rodents with Yost, Neels and Wilson’s. Neels and Wilsons found a parking spot close to the stadium when we met Mike he found even a closer spot and boasted it was FREE. After the game Bill called us and said they can’t find their car !!!!! Towed lol
Jaspers-peace and love to all. We are so sorry we are not there for you.
It was always a pleasure to see Mike and his smile. He was a good man. Sympathies to Sue and his nice family.
I was fortunate to have known Mike for most of our professional years in education, often sharing rides to meetings, and what turned out to be some of our best times, was working together in Illinois. Connie and I were fortunate to be able to spend time together with Mike and Sue and appreciating their friendship. As everyone who knew Mike knows, he had a great smile, a kind heart and such a positive attitude about life. He was a great educator, but a greater person and family man. I was fortunate to have had Mike as a friend!
Connie and I send our condolences and best wishes to Sue and the families.
I taught elementary physical education during Mike’s tenure at Louisa Muscatine as Superintendent.. He was always supportive and was complimentary of the job I did. He made physical education at L-M as important as all the other academic areas . I appreciated this and all he did for me . I will never forget this or what a great person he was.
Thinking of you and your family and sending caring thoughts your way to support you through this.
In memory of our special friend Mike. We knew him in grade school and in high th school at Columbus and we loved him. May he rest in peace.
Dear Sue and family,
I share your deep sadness in the passing Mike. He’s left his fingerprints all over the countless people’s life’s he influenced. Such a lovely man. My prayer will continue for each of you to experience Gods peace and comfort.
Lovingly, Sally Kirkpatrick
We made a lot of special memories with Mike and Sue. It began as professional, and continued as friendship. Iowa games, many Florida get togethers, and annual L-M retirees lunch in FL. Best of times!
My condolences to the family of Mike. Over the years I have known Mike in a variety of ways. Most recently he would walk and talk with us at the LBC, blending his capacity for seriousness and lightness. I am personally lucky to have worked with Mike to create brochures for open enrollment of students when he was superintendent at Turkey Valley and then at Louisa-Muscatine (days before web pages, when actualy printed products mattered). Mike has been an integral part of the good people of Lisbon, Mt. Vernon and beyond. His good person is appreciated, will be well-remembered, and he is missed.
Mike was such a special guy. As an administrator, he always had your back and gave me the courage to explore non traditional avenues of teaching and to literally think out of the box. Many, many students benefited greatly from that. Beside every good man is a great woman. Sue was by his side all the way. Through the years, we have had so much fun together. Football road trips, winters in Florida, concerts and much more. Friendships are forever. Hugs and prayers for Sue and all the family.
The memories and the moments spent with Mike will never be forgotten. Our hearts are with his family.
For the love of our cousin. He will be in our hearts always.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace Uncle Mike!
In memory of your sweet father. Nikki and Chris Skogman
Courtney, Sue & family, thinking of you, may beautiful memories of a life well lived be with you always. Love, Deana, Aaron, Addie, Olivia & Finley
Sue and Courtney and the rest of the gang. Just wanted to let you know that you’re in my thoughts. Wish I could be there for you today. XOXOXO’s to you. 🫶🏻 Brandy Strub (O’Brien)
Remembering the many good times we had in Florida. Mike was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We were so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Always enjoyed spending time with him in Florida. We’ll miss his infectious smile and energy.
We were so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Always enjoyed spending time with him in Florida. We’ll miss his infectious smile and energy.
Sending you all hugs! Mike was an amazing man and will remembered for his kindness.
So very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Sending condolences and prayers to Sue, his children, grandchildren and greats. His easy smile and friendly manner will be missed.
Kate Klein Honn, Cousin from Waterloo
To Courtney and Kevin – we are sorry to hear of your loss. Reading his story, he was a true giving heart and a blessing to so many. God bless u
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family during these difficult times.
God Bless!
Rusty Timp
Mike was a wonderful family man and role model who will me missed by many. Hugs to all of the Kortemeyers and their families.
Courtney and Kevin, we are so sorry for your loss. May your memories give you comfort. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
To Sue and Family,
I first met Mike in 1964 when I came out from Lynn, Massachusetts, North of Boston, from Lynn English High School to play football at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Mike was the quarterback, and I was a running back. We immediately became friends. With his talent Mike made me look better than I was as a running back. We became great friends and roommates at Ellsworth Community College. I first met Sue his future wife when she would drive up from Waterloo, Iowa, to watch Mike play football. Mike went on to further his education in Iowa and me back east. We have remained friends all of our lives, and we visited each other in Iowa and back east. We are now residing in Columbia, Missouri, and we last saw Mike and Sue when they visited in 2021. On May 11 I got a call from Sue that Mike had passed away. Mike was one of best friends, and we will miss him dearly. I will always remember Mike with that endearing and friendly smile.
Love, Rich
Rich Ayer ’65 Ellsworth CC and Edlita Ayer
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Louisa-Muscatine is thankful for Mike’s many years of service.
My sincere sympathy,
Tim, Ann, and Family-
I didn’t know your father but he seems like quite a guy and very accomplished. Please accept my deepest sympathy!
John Wollner
Remembering a WONDERFUL friend and cousin.