Gerhold C. Zirbel, "Gelly", 92, De Pere, passed away peacefully on Feb. 20, 2017 surrounded by his family. Gelly was born in Green Bay on May 9, 1924 to the late Alex and Hatti (Halfrisch) Zirbel. On May 26, 1945 he married LaVerne Pautz at St. John Lutheran Church in Maribel. They farmed on the Zirbel Dairy Farm and were blessed with eight children. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving as President for many years; President of the Shirley Feed Co-op and active NFO member. Gelly and LaVerne enjoyed traveling across the country in their RV.

Gelly is survived by his wife, LaVerne; their 8 children: Ginny (Paul) Falck, Hank (Sandy) Zirbel, Betty (Loren "Red") Ashley, Mike (Sandi) Zirbel, Dennis (Mary) Zirbel, Leon (Mary) Zirbel, Russ Zirbel and Jackie (Ervin) Zeamer; Grandchildren: Brian (Annie) Falck, Bob (Lisa) Falck, Beverly (Keith) Leiterman, Andrea (Mark) Hendricks, Chad (Karen) Zirbel, Scott (Jen) Zirbel, Connie Ashley (Mark Bucher), Chelsea (Kris) Scheider, Jordan (Alyssa) Zirbel, Noah Zirbel (fiancé Linsey Rogala), Jeremy (Holly) Zirbel, Joe (Jen) Zirbel, Jeff (Cassie) Zirbel, Jessie (Amy) Zirbel, Adam (Jacqi) Zirbel, Alex (Jessica) Zirbel, Andy (Amanda) Zirbel, Chloe (Chris) Winkler, Zachary (Alicia) Zirbel, Kyle (Katie) Zeamer, Luke Zeamer (fiancé Courtney Teeples); Great Grandchildren: Emily & Ben Falck, Katelyn (Nick) Weise, Michael & Taylor Falck, Brandon & Ashley Leiterman, Kadin & Jada Hendricks, Morgan Steffke & Jackson Janes, Madeline, Koen & Braylen Zirbel, Mason & Grant Zirbel, Owen, Olivia & Evelyn Scheider, Natalie, Paige, Brayden & Brylie Zirbel, Paige, Lexie, Hunter & Elliana Zirbel, Joshua, Audrey & Harper Zirbel, Hadley & Bailey Zirbel, Clay Zirbel, Allie & Vivian Zirbel, Kiya Zirbel, and Austin Winkler; Siblings: Marie Meyer, Cora Lemke and Helen Saegner.

In addition to his parents, Gelly is preceded in death by his siblings, Robert (Eugenia) Zirbel, Elmer (Esther) Zirbel, Roland (Millie) Zirbel, Walter Zirbel, Henry Zirbel, and Millie (Alvin) Wegner; and his brothers-in-law Richard Meyer, Alfred Lemke, and Kenneth Saegner.
Family and friends may call at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 3735 Shirley Rd, De Pere on Wed. February 22, 2017 from 4 pm until 7 pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 9 am until 10:45 am with the funeral service at 11:00 am with Pastor Roy Rose officiating. Burial in parish cemetery.

Appleton Post Crescent Feb 21 2017