Obit: Kolbeck, LaVern M. (1932 - 2004)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Kolbeck, Stoetzel. Golden, Zimmerman, Paylowski, Gleischner, Rueth, Ottelien, Lee, Lindquist, Herkert, Best, Powell

----Sources: Herald Times Reporter (Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wis.) 10/21/2004

Kolbeck, LaVern M. (6 June 1932 - 18 Oct. 2004)

LaVern M. Kolbeck, 72, of 827 North St., died at 2:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18, 2004, at the Palliative Care Unit at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield after a lingering illness.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at St. John's Catholic Church. The Rev. Charles D. Stoetzel will officiate. Suzanne Golden will be organist for soloist Lori Zimmerman and St. John's Church Funeral Choir. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, Todd, Jeff, Ryan and Jason Kolbeck, Gary Pavloski, David Gleischner, and Tom and Jim Rueth.

The visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Rembs/Kundinger Funeral Home and from 1 p.m. until service time Thursday at St. John's Catholic Church. A combined St. John's Parish and Knights of Columbus Rosary Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. LaVern was born on June 6, 1932, in Rozellville, the son of Anton and Elsie (Ottelien) Kolbeck. He attended St. Andrew's Parochial School in Rozellville and was a 1950 graduate of Marshfield Senior High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from Feb. 26, 1953, until his honorable discharge Jan. 28, 1955. He married Jayne M. Rueth on July 4, 1956, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Loyal.

Early in LaVern's marriage, he was self-employed as a truck driver and he also owned and operated Vern's Locker Plant in Loyal. He then moved to Marshfield, where he was employed by Felker Brothers Manufacturing until his retirement in 1991. He also purchased a farm, where he raised calves. For LaVern, this was more of a hobby than work, and it brought much joy to his life. He also enjoyed carpentry, building pontoon boats, garden sheds and wooden toys for his grandkids. His retirement was spent enjoying his grandchildren's activities. He was the No. 1 fan for many Columbus Dons basketball games and the Marshfield Blades hockey team. He also attended his granddaughter's cheerleading competitions and supported his youngest grandson's bowling events.

The last few months, LaVern traveled about on his four-wheeled electric scooter, which provided him with much fun and independence. He loved to be outdoors, but also could be found at St. Joseph's Hospital Chapel.

He is survived by his wife, Jayne, and by two daughters, Cindy (Ed) Lee and Jannalee (fiance Ben Lindquist) Kolbeck, all of Marshfield. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Michael, Shawn, and Ryan Lee, and Krista and Adam Herkert. He is further survived by four brothers and two sisters, Jerome Kolbeck of Hewitt, Chuck (Carmella) Kolbeck of Marshfield, Lyle (Jan) Kolbeck of Marshfield, Verlin (Gloria) Kolbeck of Stratford, Jeraine (Bill) Best of West Allis and Ardell Powell of Wisconsin. He was predeceased by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated in his name to Marshfield Clinic Oncology Angel Fund or Saint Joseph's Palliative Care Unit or House of the Dove. His family would like to thank the Saint Joseph's palliative care and hospice staff for their dedicated care and kind words.

God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be.

He closed His arms around you and whispered "Come to me." In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away, Our hearts were almost broken, you fought so hard to stay.

But when we saw you sleeping so peacefully, free from pain, We would not wish you back to suffer that again.

So treasure him Lord, in your garden of rest.

For here on earth he was one of the best.