Larry Zirgibel Obituary (1948 - 2008)

LARRY A. ZIRGIBEL Larry Alan Zirgibel, age 60, of Boyceville, WI died Friday, May 09, 2008 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. He was born Feb. 21, 1948 in Milwaukee, WI to Laurence and Dorothy (Schilz) Zirgibel. Larry was raised in Milwaukee, attended Twenty First Street Grade School and graduated from Boys Tech High School in 1966. He earned a B.A. degree in Physical Education from U.W. LaCrosse in 1971 and later a Master's degree in Adaptive Physical Education in 1992. On June 12, 1971, Larry married Donna Kendhammer at St. Thomas Moore in LaCrosse. After their marriage, Larry taught at St. Thomas Moore for one year and coached at Aquinas High School while also working at the Family and Children's Center in LaCrosse. They moved to Independence where Larry taught at St. Peter and Paul Elementary School and coached football for two years. He then taught at St. Gabriel's Elementary School in Prairie du Chien for one year. In 1975, their daughter Amanda was born. Larry taught and coached football and basketball for two years at Seneca High School, in Seneca, WI before moving to Boyceville in 1978. After moving to Boyceville, their son Chad was born in 1979. For 29 years, Larry taught at the Boyceville Elementary and High School and coached football and basketball. Larry was a Master Official of the U.S.A. Track and Field for 25 years and traveled all over the U.S. to many national competitions in Track and Field. One of his favorites was the Junior/Senior National Outdoor Championship of Track and Field. He was also a high school volleyball, football, track, basketball, and cross-country official. Larry was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Boyceville. He was on the Boyceville Village Board and a newly elected member of the Boyceville School Board. He was also a marathon runner and trained horses. Larry was an avid sports enthusiast and a fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Braves. Most importantly, he was a devoted, loving, concerned and caring husband, father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him. Larry is survived by his beloved wife Donna Zirgibel of Boyceville, with whom he spent 37 years of wedded bliss. His son Chad Zirgibel of LaCrosse, will miss his mischievous sense of humor. His adoring daughter Amanda Zirgibel (Brian) Kreibich of Holmen, and the grandsons he was so proud of, Braydon and Cole Kreibich, will sense a hole in their lives where he should be. He was also survived by his brother Glen (Julie) Zirgibel of Marco Island, FL, whom he could never wait to spend time with. Other survivors include: His nephews Jeff (Beth) Zirgibel of Hartland, WI and Brian (Candice) Zirgibel of Tallahassee, FL and their children, his great-nephews and great-niece, Jake, Zachary, Riley, Joshua, Nolan and Emma Zirgibel. On his wife's side he is survived by a brother-in-law, Jerry (Val) Kendhammer and his nieces, Amy Kendhammer (Steve) Marsolek and children Makayla and Elyssa; Jamie Kendhammer (Jason) Schrader; Stacey Lukas (Jerry) Steele and son Mason; and nephew Matthew (Heather) Lukas all of LaCrosse. He was preceded in death by his parents Laurence "Buck" and Dorothy Zirgibel, a niece Angie Zirgibel, father-in-law and mother-in-law Marvin and Arlene (Kish) Kendhammer, and sister-in-law Jane Kendhammer (Dave) Lukas, whom were as close as real brothers and sisters to him. Family and friends are welcome from 3:30 to 7:30 PM Monday May 12, 2008 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Onalaska, with Deacon Frank officiating. There will be a visitation at the church from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 pm. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in the Town of Shelby, LaCrosse Co., WI. To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com