Michael Kurt Aigner 10/18/1970-2/18/2026
Michael's family hailed from Connemara Ireland. He was born to Annie (Joyce) and Robert Kurt Aigner on October 18, 1970. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Ignatz and Hermine Aigner and Padraig and Judeen Joyce. He will be deeply missed by his Wife, Kristin, his Daughter, Elizabeth, his Parents Annie and Kurt, his Brother Rich Aigner (Kristy), his niece Avery, many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins who are spread far and wide across the world. He said he was often surprised with new cousins every time the family got together and rarely remembered all of their names. He became part of Kristin's family and many friends who became family mourn his passing as well. He never met a stranger and will be missed and remembered by his many friends.
He was raised in Chicago and on his beloved family farm in Connemara, Ireland, where he could usually be found following his Dado around, along with their dog, who was always named Topsy.
He reluctantly went to Gordon Tech School but would've preferred to be on the farm. Growing up in Chicago, he met his lifelong friends John Leen, Wayne Wiberg and Chris Thedford. They became family, working, living, eventually growing up together and wreaking havoc wherever they went.
Michael served in the United States Marine Corps from 1987-1993. He and Chris Thedford enlisted in High School as Reservists and went to Boot Camp together. Michael was an Airplane Power Plants Mechanic and earned a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals along with a deep hatred for sand, a sunburn that he was disciplined for, and the ability to eat a full meal in 5 minutes and fall asleep anywhere in less that 60 seconds. He was honorably discharged as an E4 and got over the sand only so he could get to the water at the beach.
When he came home from the Marine Corps, he worked at Delta with Wayne and Chris as Ramp Crew and in Cargo and Baggage until he and Chris started at the railroad. In 1993, he started as a Conductor for BNSF. On his runs from Chicago to Galesburg, he found he was ready to go back to the country so he moved to Galesburg in 1994. He quickly made friends and met "the other Irish guy," Barry Flynn. From the moment they met in passing, they were the best of friends who became family. They were together for the best moments in life and Barry continues to be there for Kristin and Lizzie through the worst.
Through friends, Michael found his love for German Shepherd Dogs. He got the first love of his life, Wolf, from Adam Kuhn, started hanging around his farm and from then on always had a dog by his side.
Dogs and trains lead him to his ultimate family and home. Another railroader's wife asked him to find her a puppy. The wife was Kristin's sister, Kami, who played matchmaker and introduced them when Michael came to check on the puppy. From then on, life changed forever.
In 2004, Michael, the dogs and the infamous "Old Yeller" moved to Dahinda. He converted her to a dog person, surprising her with a puppy when she said she needed cats to keep mice away and she converted him to a Lake Guy with the boat launch being 4 miles from their house.
They were married on their own terms on what became their favorite beach with close friends and family in 2005. They returned to their favorite place whenever they could and celebrated their 20th anniversary there last year. They had planned on moving there when Michael retired in a few years.
Their family was completed in 2007 with the arrival of Elizabeth. Michael was terrified of the whole thing but was very excited and thrilled to have a daughter. With the jobs they had, he took care of Lizzie much of the time and they had great adventures together, trips to Menard's, the mall and playing outside. He spent hours pushing her in her baby swing in the tree in the yard with Ulfric keeping watch. They rode 4 wheelers and went fishing at Uncle Pat's pond. They played Xbox and watched cartoons. They truly enjoyed their Daddy Daughter days together when they could rough house, eat Pop Ice and watch Shark Week. He was the fun guy from the time she was born and they laughed all day when they were together. He taught her what he thought she needed to know, lessons that you aren't taught in school like driving the tractor, changing a tire and her oil, how to ride a bike and drive her car. He passed on his love and care for dogs, love for any water activity, and his love for his Irish heritage, especially the food. He shared Irish food with her, and in that showed how much he loved her.
He was a proud husband and Daddy. He was proud of Kristin's wins at work and supported her through the losses. He held her up through the hard times and losses, especially in the past 5 years although feelings were not his thing, he did his best to just be there and take care of things at home so she could be where she needed to be.
He was proud of his nerdy daughter and did all he could to be there for her music performances and plays, foregoing sleep and trying to work the system with his job. He changed his favorite holiday, St Patrick's Day from a party with his friends to having breakfast at home, watching Darby O'Gill and the Little People and The Quiet Man and going to a pub to watch Lizzie dance.
We were totally unprepared for him to be gone. He left nearly on his own terms, without a long illness or time in the hospital, although it wasn't out in a field like he said he wanted. It was an Irish Goodbye, we didn't see it coming and he was gone before we knew he was going. We will do all we can to honor him and make him proud of us.
He only wanted a Wake, so we will plan with Barry and our family for that here in the US and Ireland and will take his ashes home to Ireland as he wanted. We ask for patience with plans as we are shocked and devastated by his sudden passing from a heart attack.
In Lieu of flowers, a college fund for Elizabeth will be established at CBI Bank and Trust or @elizabethaigner on Venmo and, set your payment to private.
Ni bheidh a leitheid ann airs
There will never be the likes of him again.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
