Carl Edenhofer Obituary

I love you Dad and miss you more than that! Not a day goes by where I don´t think of you at least 100 times! P.S. Say hi to mom and tell her I love and miss her too!

I miss you papa

We love you. I really miss you and so often think of you and the wonderful family you raised. How kind you all are. Re reading this just brings tears to my eyes...

What a wonderful tribute! I enjoyed reading about this great man, and listening to the obit.

My dad was an exceptional bricklayer too, and I really enjoyed your dads obituary!
wish he would have written more, seemed like my dad, who never had a job classified less than A+! Yes, life sure is built one brick at a time, he passed away in 1982. He was also a proud card carrying union bricklayer. May they be building a new gate to Heaven together. God Bless your family and Carl! Sigrid Kolehmainen

We didn't know Carl, but sounded like quite a good guy, we liked his advice and we enjoyed his self-written obituary. May his spirit live on in his family. Joe & Carol

My deepest sympathy on the loss of a great man. May your wonderful memories bring comfort at this sad time.

I'm sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet this amazing man. Thank you for sharing this small piece of him.

You will forever be missed

RIP Uncle Rayme I will miss your humor that was one of a kind that never failed to put a smile on my face. Rest in peace xoxo ❤

Your life was very blessed

I too never met Carl but he sounds like a man, a friend, everyone should be blessed to have in this life. Rest in paradise, Grandpa Coo Coo.

I never had the pleasure of knowing this man, but I feel like he could have been a great friend. Seems like we grew up in the same era...the great 50's. My sympathy to his family for the loss that I'm sure they will feel for a long, long time. R.I.P. Mr. Edenhofer!

I have never met Mr. Edenhofer nor any of his family, but I am so touched by his obituary. I am honored to have read a glimpse into such a wonderful life.

I said it in my eulogy and I'll say it again here. Grandpa, when it comes to sharing memories of you and why you are so very special to us, I can't pick just one thing because you were a part of EVERYTHING. From memories of lifting each of us up as children to see the little bird that lived inside the cuckoo clock on your living room wall (thus, how you became forever known as Grandpa Coo-Coo) to the countless school programs and activities you attended, to the Sunday dinners at your house, to our shared love of The Sound of Music, to the boisterous games of last tag, your presence in your family's life was unmistakable and undeniable. There are so many little things I've thought of during the past week that won't be the same without you there.

Aside from being fun, you are the hardest worker I know (next to your son, my dad, who seems to have inherited that trait). I always knew what a hard worker my Grandpa was, and tried to follow suit, but try as I might, I never felt I could match your efforts. Thank you for setting the bar high.

You're also one of the most humble people I know. And kind. And giving. And so very funny. ;) A part of you never grew up and I love that about you. All week your jokes and sayings have been playing through my mind. There's one in particular that up until a few years ago I didn't realize where or who I'd picked it up from. Then I heard you say it while telling a story about something surprising that had happened. "Holy hell!" you exclaimed. I smiled. It made me laugh. I must have picked it up from you. So I'm gonna keep that one, Grandpa, and pull it out on occasion, and when I do think of you. ;)

You're gone too soon from our lives, Grandpa. I hesitate to tell people you were 81 because it leads them to think you were ready...or maybe more accurately that we were ready. We weren't. You were young at heart and strong in body and my heart is breaking over the memories we won't get to create. I know a part of me will always feel empty without you here. And when I feel myself begin to cry I try to remind myself it only hurts so much because you loved us so well.

I hope I made you proud, Grandpa Coo Coo, and that in the years to come I continue to live your legacy well.

Last tag,

Sara

Carl we've never met but I wished we had. You seem like a guy that really made a difference in this world.

We grow up with people telling us that we can do or be anything only to find out that most of us are just ordinary people that just live from day to day. But then there are people like you.

You lived outside of yourself in the world out there. You looked around you and said, I can make things better. I can help. I can make my friends and family know that I am there for them when they need me. I don't have to see my name on a wall as a big contributor to some worthy cause. I can just help my neighbor by giving her a needed ride somewhere. I can lend a hand by cleaning the sidewalk for the fellow across the street. I can give a few bucks to someone who is caught short. I can take the time to be a friend to that little boy and girl who need a little attention. I can do so many things; small things, things that may not appear to carry an impact, things that are all but invisible to others. It doesn't matter that important people don't know me, or what I did or that my name isn't on a wall. I will do it because it's the right thing to do. That's all that matters.

Carl, you made the world better than you found it. You can be proud of the qualities you sought to preserve and instill, both in yourself and in those around you. Things that really matter like doing a quality job, giving a day's work for a day's pay, paying attention to the details. You valued integrity and you wanted to pass that on to everyone you touched.

Oh Carl, we were so lucky to have you with us to bring us joy and laughter, kindness and caring. You showed us how to be better human beings and now that you have left us we have to try to remember the lesion you taught us. That we can make a difference, one brick at a time. Wished I had met you Carl.

All our love, from Llyra, Julie and Bryce to the man who gave, gave, and never took. You brought many happinesses into our lives. We love you Grandpa.

To Carl and family although I never met you, I met your namesake. If you are like him you are special indeed. Our thoughts are with you all. Mike arbet family

What a special person touching the lives of so many. I really can't stop reading his story, I see how he felt rich with all the love he gave and how he received the love and respect he deserved. He gave so much and loved doing it. What a great guy!

I'm sure his parents are welcoming him and smiling knowing how much he loved life and the mark he left here on earth. .We need more people like him.
I'm sure he will be missed so much but sounds likes he wants everyone to smile when you think of him. So sorry for your
loss.
Colleen

With sincere condolences and deepest sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Carl has went home to sit at God's feet and be blessed. He is with you always.
With Love and Blessings - Diane, Harriet and Trevor Crosby

Ooh boy so many memories 18 years being his neighbor and meeting him at the age 7 ... his greetings hey young lady! I would sit every day outside just to talk to him or to have fun with the water ... he made me and my brothers feel like part of his family ... we use to play with the dogs and he would enjoy watching us run around the backyard playing with his dogs ... he never forgot our birthdays and even if we didn't do any parties he will still stop by to spend some time ... :, ( ... his chocolate with 4 quaters on Halloween his Punkin s to the ham or turkey on thanksgiving his smile and the way he would watch over us while mom cooked ... ray we will miss you soooo much 18 years being good friends being good neighbors thank you for all your advice and for all those wonderful memories you left us and for that one last dance in my backyard and for also being part of my son's childhood .... ray thank you for all those laughs and for taking care of us as kids ........ my tears can't stop because I know it will hurt not seeing you outside no more :( love always your neighbor

I'm just a West Side guy, a former paper boy who has been reading obits since my Daily News route in 1960. I am a stranger joining other strangers writing to the family and friends of Mr. Edenhofer, whose wonderful final words have just enriched my life.

I am so sorry for your loss. It's a loss for all of us who now know of this terrific man. Oh, I hope we (strangers) have lightened the loss in some way for his words have touched our hearts. I had read it each day and just now read it aloud to my wife, welling up weepy.

She knew my Dad would have loved the ending, for Gordy taught us "Last Tag" just south of you, in St. Catherine of Siena parish. Your Dad (and Grandpa) seems much like my old man. I thought of St. John Bosco this morning and added my small prayers.

God bless you all, family and friends of this remarkable man.

From Mango Ave. you will truly be missed dearly.. we will think of you on Halloween when you places pumpkins outside our doors... and even those winter days when you will come and snow blow the entire block of Mango and for that we are so grateful from the Brookins, Godbold, Jones,Mason and Hartgrove Family on Mango across the street

Our deepest sympathies on the passing of Ray. He was a wonderful man. Sincerely, Jerry & Jan Crane

I Read the Obituary of Carl Edenhofer this morning in the Chicago Tribune. He was a stranger to me and I am sorry I did not know this man. It sounds like he touched the lives of many people.I enjoy how he wrote his life story, in a way. His love of friends, family and his career as a bricklayer was inspiring. I enjoyed readying his quote... As a Bricklayer, he learned to live life one brick at a time His sense of humor came through when he wrote,In closing, because I know these last words are costing my kids a ton May Carl rest in peace and my condolences go to all his family and friends.
Judy Lynn

Hello, As I was looking though the death notices for a young woman I knew just passed. I came across this unusual death notice. A man writing his own. How beautiful. How wonderful to write how much he loved, and appreciated, his family, his friends , his co workers. His advice about laying a brick one brick at a time, Is what life should be like, he felt. Very wonderful advice. How lucky you all were in this family to have him in your life. To love you all so much . And write his own death notice to tell you all, how he felt. I personally think this was the most wonderful , endearing , death notices. I have never seen this before. This is from the heart of a man , whom loved deeply. And felt loved deeply. Remember him for ever, take his advice. Live your life as much as you can , as he did. Love ❤, as he did. This is he last words to you . Treasure them for a life time. I am truly sorry for your loss.But this is how life goes. But you have so many beautiful things to remember. You are so very lucky. Not many people have what you had, or still have from this wonderful person. Stella ❤

Will miss you grandpa!! You were awesome

Our condolences to the family. He was a good man, and although we only met him a few times, we could see the love he had for his family.

What a beautiful remembrance for an extraordinary person. God rest his soul!

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

This obituary is one of the most touching and beautifully written I have ever read. God be with you.

"Last Tag, No Tag Backs" Forever Grandpa Coo Coo will be lovingly remembered and cherished by our small family especially Brooke and Jack! (thank you for including our children in your beautifully written obituary) He gave them a grandfather they never had. I can not express how much he will be missed. Words can not convey how sorry I am for your family and this great loss.
All our love, The Katich Family

I love and miss you Grandpa coo coo. Last tag!

If his daughter Raydene is any indication, Ray must have been a great guy.

[email protected]

Raydene, sorry for your loss. You know we are all here for you.

Wow! What a wonderful obituary. I wish that I would have had the opportunity to know this great man. Heartfelt condolences and prayers for you and all of your family Raydene.

The few times I met Ray, left such a wonderful impression. John has always spoken so highly of his uncles Ray and Paulie and I could see why. His stories, humor, compassion for life, and life experiences were so intriguing.

Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your dear loss and know my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

All My Love,

Love and prayers for Carl Sr. as well as his whole family who mourns his loss.
The Doug and Maryann Barnett family

You don't know me but wanted to let his family know how beautful this was presented.
What a special person he was and will always be. Sounds like there are a life time of memories from him. He will really never be gone. Enjoy his wisdom. His family and friends were lucky to have him.


West Chester PA

I am a stranger to your family, just a fellow Chicagoan reading the Saturday paper. I was touched by this wonderfully-written obituary. I laughed at "I better close because this is costing my kids a ton". How I wish I could have known this man! He sounds like an absolute gem. I know he will be missed terribly by all who knew him. You have my condolences.

i am truly sorry I never met you but thank you for living such a wonderful, giving life and sharing your final thoughts within us.

Ray was my great uncle, my grandma's brother and therefore a part of me. I am so proud to have had him as a great uncle. My prayers and thoughts are with his siblings, children and grandchildren. Every time you miss him, reminisce over a memory. While it won't bring him back, it will keep him close by.

I am sorry Paul for not having more time to know more your brother but I am so grateful for all you two did for Jane. God is taking care of him and he is in a good place
Thank you Ray for your big wall of love
Mario Ruiz

Raydene, your dad sounds like a great guy! So sorry for your loss.

The Beier family

"Uncle Ray Someones @ Da Door" art

Sincerest condolences to the family of Carl Raymond Edenhofer on the loss of what sounds like a truly remarkable man. You don't know me, but I was deeply touched by the writing in the obituary. My son Robbie lives in Rolling Meadows and often sends me copies of obituaries that he thinks would interest me. Carl's did. "Brick by brick," was written often. Very touching.
My husband and I live in Farmington, Mo.
Sympathy to all of you in the family.
Linda and Bob Banger

It is with heartfelt aloha I send much love and light to you and your family

My condolences to my Sister by choice Raydene Edenhofer and the entire Edenhofer family. Your Dad meant a lot to me and my family, he left an amazing legacy. May God give you peace and comfort at this difficult time. - Pam Stevens

Uncle Rayme was an awesome funny man! We will truly miss him at the family Christmas Eve Parties! Our condolences to the Edenhofer family.