Obituary for Norman "Kaz" Kasmauskis
Norway- Norman “Kaz” Kasmauskis, 80, of Norway, Mich., passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, Wisc.
Norman (Norm) was born June 18, 1943, in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late Alvin and Dorothy (Cuyler) Kasmauskis and younger brother to the late Allen Kasmauskis. He graduated from Sturgis High School, class of 1961, and from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry. Norm was the first person in his family to achieve a college degree. He made every attempt to find a Forestry job close to his parents, but alas his first job was for the Department of Natural Resources of Indiana. Very soon after starting his career, he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, to be the official driver for Brigadier General DeWitt C. Armstrong III. After serving his country for two years, he was discharged honorably to continue his career. Although he was offered a position back in Michigan, the location was still far from his parents. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is where Norm restarted his career in forestry and was welcomed by the community. Unfamiliar with a hard-to-pronounce Lithuanian last name, he was called “Kaz” for short where he wove himself into the fabric of the communities he frequented. Starting at the bottom rung he worked for the DNR of Michigan for over 30 years, taking on more responsibility until he achieved the Area Manager position for the Sturgeon River State Forest in Dickinson County. He was humbled in knowing he served the people of his home state of Michigan in the conservation of our treasured resources. During this time, he made many friends and taught many future generations; he was the man you talked to about proper logging and sustainable management of the forest in the Upper Peninsula. Norm enjoyed the outdoors and was known for various Hunting, Fishing, and Mushroom foraging hobbies (since his job placed him in the ultimate position to find the choicest mushrooming locations.) Later in retirement, he traveled to Europe and found some of the locations where his Father was stationed in the Army during World War II. He also took time to do a little research about his Father serving in the 4th Armored Division, 94th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron Troop D. Norm was surprised to come across an entry in a book about a Major who was part of the Squadron Headquarters team overseeing his Fathers Squadron. His name was DeWitt C. Armstrong III, the same man Norm drove around in Fort Hood, Texas, while serving in the Army. He never knew the connection until well into his retirement.
Survivors include nephews Justin Osbon of Wayland, Michigan, and Mike Kasmauskis of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In accordance with Norm’s wishes, private family services will be held.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Norman’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Norman’s legacy of life.
Norman (Norm) was born June 18, 1943, in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late Alvin and Dorothy (Cuyler) Kasmauskis and younger brother to the late Allen Kasmauskis. He graduated from Sturgis High School, class of 1961, and from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry. Norm was the first person in his family to achieve a college degree. He made every attempt to find a Forestry job close to his parents, but alas his first job was for the Department of Natural Resources of Indiana. Very soon after starting his career, he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, to be the official driver for Brigadier General DeWitt C. Armstrong III. After serving his country for two years, he was discharged honorably to continue his career. Although he was offered a position back in Michigan, the location was still far from his parents. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is where Norm restarted his career in forestry and was welcomed by the community. Unfamiliar with a hard-to-pronounce Lithuanian last name, he was called “Kaz” for short where he wove himself into the fabric of the communities he frequented. Starting at the bottom rung he worked for the DNR of Michigan for over 30 years, taking on more responsibility until he achieved the Area Manager position for the Sturgeon River State Forest in Dickinson County. He was humbled in knowing he served the people of his home state of Michigan in the conservation of our treasured resources. During this time, he made many friends and taught many future generations; he was the man you talked to about proper logging and sustainable management of the forest in the Upper Peninsula. Norm enjoyed the outdoors and was known for various Hunting, Fishing, and Mushroom foraging hobbies (since his job placed him in the ultimate position to find the choicest mushrooming locations.) Later in retirement, he traveled to Europe and found some of the locations where his Father was stationed in the Army during World War II. He also took time to do a little research about his Father serving in the 4th Armored Division, 94th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron Troop D. Norm was surprised to come across an entry in a book about a Major who was part of the Squadron Headquarters team overseeing his Fathers Squadron. His name was DeWitt C. Armstrong III, the same man Norm drove around in Fort Hood, Texas, while serving in the Army. He never knew the connection until well into his retirement.
Survivors include nephews Justin Osbon of Wayland, Michigan, and Mike Kasmauskis of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In accordance with Norm’s wishes, private family services will be held.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Norman’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Norman’s legacy of life.