Richard August Zirbel

October 4, 1934 - December 7, 2010

Richard August Zirbel, 76, a long-time Horicon resident, died peacefully early Tuesday morning, December 7th, 2010 at St. Anne”s Providence Court, Milwaukee with his daughters at his side.

Richard was born on October 4th, 1934 in Milwaukee to Richard W. and Christina Schott Zirbel. He and his younger siblings lived behind his father”s Layton Park Bakery until 1950, when the family moved to East Troy. His father was a German immigrant and Dick was bilingual as a child and very proud of his heritage.

After graduating as Valedictorian from Boy”s Technical High School in Milwaukee, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1953 and served until 1957. Richard”s time in the Navy had a great influence on him, and his family was treated to many narrated slide shows of his world travels aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Barton.

He then entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his B.S. degree in Light Building Industry. It was at UW-Madison that he met the love of his life, a freshman nursing student named Judy Guenther. They were united in marriage September 22, 1962. The newlyweds made their home in Fond du Lac before moving to Horicon in 1967.

Richard was employed at John Deere Horicon Works for over 31 years before retiring in 1997. He was very loyal to John Deere and greatly enjoyed using his green and yellow equipment at a country property he and Judy owned south of Horicon. A member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, he volunteered at St. Stephen”s Food Pantry, Bethesda Country Fair, and Habitat for Humanity.

Richard was a loving, generous father, and devoted husband. He enjoyed many trips and activities with his wife after his retirement. Her sudden death from cancer in 2006 affected him deeply. His family will deeply miss his quiet, patient wisdom and sense of humor.

Survivors include three children, Peter Zirbel of Onalaksa, Susan (Matthew) Bellm of Mequon, and Sara Zirbel (special friend Dan Bieser) of Milwaukee; two brothers, John Zirbel of Silver Spring MD, and Carl Zirbel of Dearborn MI; one sister, Linda (Walter) Holthaus of Madison, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A visitation will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon Saturday, December 11th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by the 11:30 a.m funeral service. Pastor Daniel Seehafer will officiate. He will be buried in Oakhill Cemetery in Horicon. Memorials can be made in Richard Zirbel”s name to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon or the St. Stephens Food Pantry.

The Murray Funeral Home in Horicon is serving the family.

Visitation Details

Saturday, December 11th, 2010, 9:30am – 11:30am

Service Details

Saturday, December 11th, 2010, 11:30am

Interment Details

Oak Hill Cemetery-Horicon

Richard August Zirbel, 76, a long-time Horicon resident, died peacefully early Tuesday morning, December 7th, 2010 at St. Anne”s Providence Court, Milwaukee with his daughters at his side. Richard was born on October 4th, 1934 in Milwaukee to Richard W. and Christina Schott Zirbel. He and his younger siblings lived behind his father”s Layton ParkContinue Reading

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Dear Peter, Susie & Sara, Having just learned of your father''s passing we extend our sincere, heartfelt condolences & sympathies for your loss. We remember your parents'' genuine warmth, care & concern for others.... the twinkle in their eyes. We remember your parents'' shared interests and the love that they had for you and your extended families. We thought of your parents'' as soul mates..... blessed now to be true soul mates reunited in heaven for all eternity. Warmly, Bette & Dan McIntosh Neenah

Dear Peter, Susan, and Sarah, I have so many wonderful memories of both your Dad and Mother. When they spent their honemoon in Colorado we took them to a production of My Fair Lady in Downtown Denver. We had such fun together. You vacationed in Colorado as a young family. More recently they brought Viktor and Pauline from Germany so we could travel the Rocky Mountains together. Those experiences are treasured memories. Your Dad and David were both Navy men and are probably sharing more of those Navy stories right now. May God bless all of our memories of them. Sending my love - Mary Ann

Susan and Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God''s love and mercy protect and shelter you. Love, Joe, Kate, Andrew & Beth Kenny

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Susan and Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God''s love and mercy protect and shelter you. Love, Joe, Kate, Andrew & Beth Kenny

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.