Florian “Flo” Seitz, age 94 and a longtime resident of Kenosha, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Aurora Hospital in Kenosha.
Born in Mattoon, WI on May 31, 1926, he was the oldest child of Andrew and Veronica (Koch) Seitz.
After attending local schools, Florian eventually moved to Milwaukee where he graduated from Rufus King High School in 1944. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 508th Parachutist Infantry Regiment with the 82nd Airborne Division, 1944-1946. Florian saw combat in France and Germany. In April 1945 after extensive combat in northern Germany, incredibly, the entire 21st German Army (145,000 troops) surrendered to the 82nd Airborne Division. As Florian has written “and I was there for it all.”
On February 3, 1949, he was united in marriage with Phyllis Smith at the First Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson, WI. They shared 68 years of love together before Phyllis passed away in 2017.
Florian and Phyllis moved to Milwaukee and then to Kenosha, where they raised their 2 sons, Blake and Todd. Florian worked as a Theater Manager in Milwaukee for 3 years. He then worked at Beneficial Finance where he was responsible for 11 branches. Finally, he joined First Wisconsin Bank in Milwaukee as credit and collections supervisor. In his years with First Wisconsin, Florian was instrumental in bringing Mastercard to Wisconsin. He retired in 1989.
Florian was a founding member of the Kenosha Lions Club and was actively involved for 66 years.
In their retirement, Florian and Phyllis enjoyed tennis with ‘the tennis tramps’, traveling and attending Brewer games with family and friends. They eventually purchased a Florida residence where they enjoyed their winters.
He will be missed by his son, Blake (Janis) Seitz; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Hurley, Ross (Taryn) Seitz, Lauren (Josh) Eikren, Kelly and Chad Seitz; his great grand-children, Tanner and Paige Hurley, Avery, Clay and Lenni Seitz, Nora and Rory Eikren; his sisters, Dolores Pritzl, Arlene Smith, Marilyn Gullekson, Joann Mertin.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; son, Todd; sister, Ann Menden; and brother, Leonard Seitz.
Funeral services honoring Florian’s life, with full military honors, will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home.
A visitation for Florian will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
A Celebration of Florian’s Life will follow at Hobnob Restaurant in Racine.
Entombment will take place in All Saints Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation in Florian’s name to the Kenosha Lions Club, Safe Harbor Humane Society or the charity of your choice is requested.
Due to public health concerns, and in compliance with CDC guidelines, only 50 people will be permitted to enter the funeral home at one time. Social distancing will be maintained and those in attendance are required to wear a face covering. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.
