Norbert A. Techlin

Norbert A. Techlin, age 98, of Freedom, passed away peacefully from natural causes on June 15, 2022.  He was born on August 26, 1923 under the Elm tree on the family farm to the late Hattie (Krueger) and Otto Techlin.  He married the love of his life Theresa Van Handel on August 25, 1945 who preceded him in death on December 7, 2003.  Together they were the proud parents of four girls. Norbert operated Techlin’s Trucking for 27 years.  He and Theresa owned and operated Techlin’s Pour House in Freedom for 25 years retiring in 1985.  After his retirement, Norb worked for Stokley U.S.A. every summer for six years.  Always one to be busy, Norb started a recycling business in Freedom which he operated until he was 88.  Norb loved traveling with Theresa and they enjoyed many adventures together including Europe, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.  He also loved spending time visiting the daughters that lived out of town.  Always one to be with nature, his garden was the envy of the neighborhood and many a person was the proud recipient of his potatoes, onions or tomatoes.  Norb was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, The Freedom Lion’s Club and also an Honorary Citizen of Boys Town. 

Survivors include his four girls and their spouses:  Mary (Techlin) and Jim Gonnering of Kaukauna; Luanne (Techlin) and Dennis Kerkhoff of Leesburg, FL; Donna (Techlin) and Mike Liebergen of Freedom and Darlene (Techlin) and Dave Goltz of Dayton, OH.  He is also survived by his grandchildren: Tammy (Gonnering) and Al Stein, Kris and Jim Gonnering Jr., Kim and Jason Gonnering, Katrina (Kerkhoff) and Jerry Kamps, Katrisha (Kerkhoff) and Jeff Deegan, Jill (Liebergen) and Nick Cropsey, Crystal (Liebergen) and Jesse Brody, Deirdre Goltz and Sarah and Derek Goltz.  Norb also had 15 Great-Grandchildren and 7 Great-Great Grandchildren.  Norb is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Jule Van Handel, Joan Van Handel, and Alice Van Handel.

Besides his parents, Norb was preceded in death by two sisters and their spouses:  Adeline (Techlin) and Reinhold Idhe; Hilda (Techlin) and Henry Schinke along with five brothers and three sisters-in-law:  Bernice and Wilbert Techlin, Margaret and Lester Techlin, Leona and Edwin Techlin, Harold Techlin and Gerhart Techlin.  Norb was also preceded in death by Theresa’s siblings and several of their spouses:  Rosemary (Van Handel) and Delmar Schmeichel, Marion and Robert Van Handel, Harold Van Handel, Donald Van Handel and Richard Van Handel. 

The family would like to give a special thanks to Country Villa Assisted Living – Freedom and Moments Hospice.  Their care and compassion went above and beyond.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2022, at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, N4086 Cty Rd E, Freedom, with Father Walter Stumpf officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. The service will also be livestreamed at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/stnicholasfreedom. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Norb’s name. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

Auf Wiedersehen Dad…we will love and cherish you forever.

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