Former St. Charles alderman remembered for loyalty to community

When St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina first ran for a city council seat seven years ago, he was told to seek guidance from a former Third Ward alderman known for his loyalty to the community: Gus Enzenbacher.

Their initial talk about St. Charles and its rich history cemented a friendship that Rogina said was filled with meaningful conversation. In the last seven years, he said, the advice and support he received from Enzenbacher, who died Saturday at 87, never faltered.

"This was his community, and he made sure he was a strong guardian of the community in every facet," Rogina said. "I'll miss him very much."

Enzenbacher moved to St. Charles when he and his wife, Kathleen, married 61 years ago and instantly wanted to get involved in the community. At one point, close friend and former Mayor Fred Norris told Enzenbacher he wanted to work together and asked if he would consider running for a city council seat.

"He said yes right away because he wanted to give back all the time," Kathleen Enzenbacher said.

During his 16 years as alderman in the 1980s and '90s, Enzenbacher often would walk to city council meetings to chat with residents along the way, his wife said. He always made an extra effort to get to know his constituents, and he was largely responsible for a project to expand Dean Street, Rogina said.

Additionally, Enzenbacher was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he served on the school board, the parish council and worked as head of the maintenance department. He helped form the St. Charles Jaycees organization and was involved with Boys Scouts and American Legion groups, his family said.

"He raised all of us the same way," said his daughter, Linda Hagemann. "To always be there for somebody else, to always be the one that steps up to help somebody when they're in need."

Enzenbacher also served as an Army drill sergeant during the Korean War and later ran a TV repair shop out of his home.

Although he was devoted to his community, his family members say Enzenbacher always put his wife and children first. He led by example, teaching them to be strong and never give up, his kids say. Some of their fondest memories took place at Enzenbacher's second house in the Wisconsin Dells.

"He truly was a gentle giant who was the best dad and husband that anybody could've asked for," Hagemann said. "He was caring and loving, and his heart was 10-times the size of him."

In addition to his wife and Hagemann, Enzenbacher is succeeded by his daughters, Lora Bergmann and Leanne DeZutel; his son, David Enzenbacher; his brother, Joseph Enzenbacher; and nine granddaughters.

A visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Moss-Norris Funeral Home, 100 S. Third St., St. Charles. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home before proceeding to St. Patrick Parish Downtown at 400 Cedar St., St. Charles. A private burial will follow.

Memorial contributions can be made in Enzenbacher's name to the Ronald McDonald House at 0N150 Winfield Road, Winfield.