Marilyn Margaret Zirbel

     Marilyn Margaret Zirbel, 90, of Sturgeon Bay, was reunited in Heaven with her loved ones, early Sunday morning, July 31, 2022, at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

     She was born July 25, 1932, in Sawyer (now Sturgeon Bay), the daughter of William and Mary Margaret (Mohr) Pfister. Marilyn attended St. Joseph Catholic School and was a member of St. Joseph Parish, both in Sturgeon Bay, where she received the sacraments of baptism, first communion, and confirmation. She graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School with the class of 1950. One of Marilyn’s favorite memories was of a cross-country trip she took with her sister, Jean, in a car they purchased together immediately after graduation. She spoke fondly of her first job as a bookkeeper for the Milwaukee Shoe Company in Sturgeon Bay that later became Santa Rosa Shoe. Marilyn was on their bowling team and some of her coworkers became lifelong friends.

     She was united in marriage to Ralph Richard Zirbel on September 25, 1959, at her home parish of St. Joseph.

     Marilyn worked as a bookkeeper for Bill Boettcher Automotive starting in 1977 and continued as ownership changed to Jim Olson Motors until her retirement in 2002. In her 25 years, she was blessed with amazing coworkers that became lifelong friends.  

     Marilyn and Ralph shared nearly 50 years of marriage together. He passed away on August 4, 2009.

     Marilyn became an active member of Corpus Christi Parish in Sturgeon Bay in 1960 and volunteered at the church and school as a Eucharistic minister, served on various committees and groups, and helped with the hot lunch program bookkeeping. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Pere Marquette #1058 in Sturgeon Bay, holding various officer positions. Marilyn enjoyed tending to her myriad flowering plants in her home and yard. She was a wonderful baker and her strawberry jam and traditions of making Christmas cookies, pfeffernusse, and pistachio torte are family favorites. Marilyn’s greatest joy was found in socializing with friends and spending as much time as possible with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. No one loved little babies more than her.

     Marilyn’s love will live on in the hearts of her four children, Lori (Steve) LaLuzerne of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Jan (Brian) Herbst of Andover, MN, Brian (Joy) Zirbel of South Milwaukee, WI, and Heidi (Marc) Stolt of Plover, WI; eight grandchildren, Andy (Lisa) LaLuzerne, Michelle LaLuzerne, Andrea Herbst, David (Jessica) Herbst, Nicholas (Ashley) Herbst, Jonathan Zirbel, Jenna Stolt, and Marissa Stolt; seven great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Eva LaLuzerene, Emma Strachan, Eleanor, Everett, Oliver, and Nolan Herbst; sister-in-law, Judy (Jack) Schiltz of Kewaunee, WI; many loving nieces and nephews; and good friends from church, work, and school.

     She was reunited with her parents; husband; two grandsons, Matthew and Adam LaLuzerne; and five siblings, Dorothy (Robert) King, Marion (Alton) Larson, Jean (Dennis) Raddatz, Harold (Gladys) May, and Howard (Ceil) May, and Harold (Jeanette) Zirbel.

     Marilyn's life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay, with Fr. Ryan Krueger and Fr. Anthony Birdsall concelebrating and Dcn. Mark Hibbs assisting. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Ralph, in St. Joseph Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

     Memorials may be given in Marilyn's name for Corpus Christi Parish or St. John Bosco Catholic School.

     Marilyn’s children would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center for the compassionate care they provided.

     Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Zirbel family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Marilyn may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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