Robert George (Cob) Cunitz, 82, passed away on September 24th, 2022 at his home in Norwalk. He was born on September 20th, 1940 in Sparta to Leonard and Florence Cunitz.
Cob grew up on a farm on Summit Ridge and attended Conger School through the eighth grade and then graduated from Norwalk High School in 1958. While in high school, he was active in the FFA, and played baseball and basketball. Cob got his start in the bar business working for another tavern across the street from what would later become his second home. Soon after, his parents purchased The Place-Cunitz Tavern and the rest is history.
Cob met his wife, Theresa (Hageman), while she was attending college in La Crosse, WI and they married on June 25, 1966 at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmer, Iowa. Cob & Theresa welcomed and raised all six children at their home in Norwalk.
As a lifelong resident of Norwalk, a fact Cob took great pride in, he played an active role in the community as a business owner and as a member of several local organizations. Cob held many offices with the Norwalk Lions Club including President, and was later awarded the Melvin Jones Award, which is the highest achievement in the Lions Club. He was a lifelong member of St. Augustine’s Church, a member of the Catholic Order of Forrester’s, a former Village President, and a long standing member of the Norwalk village board. As a sports fanatic, Cob enjoyed bowling and playing softball as well as sponsoring countless teams throughout the years. Cob was a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs and a proud supporter of the various teams his family played on and teams that he sponsored. When he wasn’t at The Place or out watching one of his favorite teams, Cob could be found driving around town, smoking a cigar, and handing out treats to the local kids. He also could have a conversation with anyone anywhere- he loved to share stories with everyone- no one left a stranger when they met him.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, sister Annette Kruk, in-laws Roger Hyatt, Richard Marx, Urban Hageman, Leon (Jean) Hageman, Al Hageman, Peter Meyer, Alvin Hackman, Ignatius and Elizabeth Hageman, granddaughter Jenna Hanson, grandson Jarrett Luethe and great granddaughter Jazmyn Weiker-Hanson.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Theresa; children, Randal Robert (Jan), Mary Beth (Dewey) Hanson, Robert Leonard, Ann Theresa (Dale) Anhalt, Leonard Jeremy (Kim) and Jeremy Francis (Tiffany Steinbrink); grandchildren, Merril Raimer Cunitz (Kris Mack), Christopher (Melinda Auclair) Hanson, Chad (Kelly) Hanson, Tabitha (Travis Revels) Hanson, Joseph (Sheri) Cunitz, Katelyn (Cole) Roy, Brittany (Dominic Flock) Hanson, Whitney (Nick Loeffelholz) Hanson, Jackelyn (Jamie) Schmitz, Jessica Downing, Samantha (Jordan) Kotten, Robert Cunitz, Alisha (Ken) Hummel, Kyle Cunitz, Terri Ann Luethe, Josh (Laura) Luethe, Kelly Luethe, Chenoa Anhalt, Inga Anhalt, Carly (Matt) Beyer, Patrick (Lydia) Daley, Valerie (Gavin Haldeman) Cunitz, Alex and Emily Cunitz, Derrick, Mackena and Casen Cunitz; great-grandchildren, Layla and Owen Mack, Shelby (Dawson Cordner), Jaeden, Evan ,Lexi, Jadan, Noah, and Hadley Hanson, Jackson, Julian, Jasper, Ashton, and Mason Cunitz, Charli Dahl, Franki and William Roy, Braelyn Flock, Emmett Loeffelholz, Jaylee and Joselyn Schmitz, Kyan Downing, Bella, Aurora and Carolyn Kotten, Torra, Adriana, Damion, Ryder and Nova Hummel, Maci, Lainey and Peyton Cunitz, Miles, Ashton, Kennedi and Jarrett Luethe, Cade and Cash Beyer; and great-great-grandchild, Everett Hanson. He is further survived by his brother Donald Cunitz, sisters Judy Hyatt and Mary Marx, and in-laws Leo Kruk, Bernice Hackman, Joan Schissel, Dorothy (Elmer) Schmidt, Louise Hageman, Laverne (Alice) Hageman, Mary (Melvin) Rausch, Alma Meyer and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 30, 2022, 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Norwalk, WI. Father Michael Klos will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Thursday, September 29, 2022, 4-7:00 p.m. (with rosary beginning at 3:45) at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Norwalk. Visitation will also be held Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Norwalk, WI, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
