Obituary of Wilbert Knobeck
Wilbert W. "Bud" Knobeck, age 94, of Wisconsin Rapids went to meet his Savior on Thursday, January 21, 2016.
Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home. Rev. Olaf Andersen will officiate. Entombment will be at Forest Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and again from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Wilbert was born on June 21, 1921 to William and Myrtle (Thorhaug) Knobeck on a farm between Madison and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. When Wilbert was young his family moved to Radisson, WI. Wilbert graduated from Winter High School in 1939. After high school Wilbert worked various jobs in Radisson and Chicago and attended West Air College. In 1942, Wilbert enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the SeaBee 29th Battalion and was stationed in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatre. He was discharged in 1945.
Wilbert married Elizabeth Larson on June 14, 1952. He graduated from UW-Stout in 1954. Wilbert was employed by Lincoln High School and Mid-State Technical College as an auto mechanics teacher and was later promoted to a supervisor/coordinator position, retiring in 1983.
Wilbert enjoyed camping, woodworking, working on cars and just spending time with his family. Wilbert was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and GGpa, always putting others before himself. He was an excellent role model to all those who he came into contact with.
Wilbert is survived by his children: Yvonne Totzke, Lon (Beth) Knobeck and Darla (Will) LaBarge all of Wisconsin Rapids and Christie Knobeck of Minnesota; nine grandchildren: Michele (Jeff) Bell, Tyler (fiancé Kelly Brewer) Knobeck, Melissa (Jaeke Gadsky) Knobeck, Lisa (Charlie) Gray, Matthew LaBarge, Katelyn LaBarge, Andrew Johnson, Derek Johnson and Seth Johnson; great-grandchildren: Ayden, Gabriel, Emma and Lydia Tamminga, Jesslyn and Talon LaBarge and Braeden Gray; one brother Robert (Jean) Knobeck.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elizabeth Knobeck, sister, Lorraine Pearson and infant brother Charles.
In lieu of flowers donations may be designated to MSTC Foundation/Scholarship fund.
Special thanks to Aspirus, Aspirus Home Care, Grand Rapids First Responder, Grand Rapids Police Department, United Ambulance Service and Louise Jardine for their aid in dad's final days.
