Larry Zirgibel

[Phil]

Not sure if this has been communicated to anybody else, at the U or not.  It concerns Donna Zirgibel's husband.

We

[Caroline]

They have had a tough stretch as family lately and this is just awful.  Our thoughts are with them and will try to contact Donna to see if there's anything we can do.

[Chris]

Sad news for our regular pole vault official friends.  Our thoughts are with you.

[Chris]

Just wanted to post here to let everyone know Larry passed Friday.

quote:
http://www.leadertelegram.com/obituary.asp?id=BGJAV6UICLN




Published: 5/11/2008                                              

Larry Zirgibel

Larry Alan Zirgibel, age 60, of Boyceville, Wis., died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

He was born Feb. 21, 1948, in Milwaukee, Wis., 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 UW-La Crosse 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 La Crosse. 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 La Crosse. 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, Wis., before moving to Boyceville in 1978. After moving to Boyceville, their son, Chad, was born in 1979. For 29 years, Larry taught at 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 La Crosse, 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, Fla., whom he could never wait to spend time with. Other survivors include nephews, Jeff (Beth) Zirgibel of Hartland, Wis., and Brian (Candice) Zirgibel of Tallahassee, Fla., 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 La Crosse.

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, who were as close as real brothers and sisters to him.

Family and friends are welcome from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday May 12, 2008, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. 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 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in the town of Shelby, La Crosse County, Wis.

To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www. olsonfuneral.com.