Josef Andreas Kiesenhofer

Josef Andreas Kiesenhofer, 96, died Monday morning, November 9, 2009 at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh. He was born in Schönau bei Berchtesgaden, Germany to the late Josef and Maria Viktoria (Moderegger) Kiesenhofer. Prior to the war, Josef worked as a Master Cabinetmaker in Berg, Germany. In the late 1930s, Josef was drafted into the Wehrmacht where he served in the 1st Mountain Division Infantry. During his time as a German soldier, Josef fought on the Western Front in France, but most extensively on the Eastern Front in Poland, Hungary, The Balkans, and in Operation Barbarossa in the Soviet Union. These experiences helped form Josef’s trademark discipline known to all. After the war, Josef worked as a handyman in the Partnachklamm resort area of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a popular post-war vacation destination for many American Officers. This fostered the friendship of Josef with Officer David Cozart, who ultimately sponsored the immigration of Josef and his family (Mother, wife, and son) to the United States of America. In 1953 the Kiesenhofers began their new life in Raleigh, NC where Josef worked for Mr. Cozart clearing land to start a farm. Appreciating the opportunities of his new found freedom, Josef became successful in various entrepreneurial endeavors. The family moved to Morrisville, NC in the early 1960s where Josef lived until the late 1990s before moving to live with his son in Cary. Josef lived a long, fulfilling life, and touched many people with his charisma and wit. Words cannot express the degree to which he will be missed.Josef was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Gertraud Wilhelmine Wörle Kiesenhofer. Survivors include his son Joseph Hubertus Kiesenhofer of Cary; grandchildren, Heidi Kiesenhofer of Galion, OH, Erika Kiesenhofer of Holly Springs, NC, and Josef Kiesenhofer and wife Terri of Chapel Hill, NC, great-grandchildren, Dante Kiesenhofer, Karli Kiesenhofer, and Josef Kiesenhofer; nieces, Heidemarie Viktoria Fischer of Munich, Germany and Waltraud LeMaire of Immenstadt, Germany; and his loyal German Short Haired Pointer “Lucky”.Family will receive friends on Sunday, November 15, 2009 from 4-7 PM at the Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org