Kenneth "Smokey" E. Birschbach

Kenneth E. “Smokey” Birschbach, 74, of Lamartine, surrounded by his family, passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2011, after losing his battle with leukemia. He was born on August 7, 1936, in Fond du Lac, the sixth son of Francis Anton and Olivia Katherine Michels Birschbach. He acquired his nickname at age 14 while helping to grill brats at a Woodhull picnic. He graduated from Rosendale Union Free High School. Smokey served in the United States Army from 1955-1961, and attended military academy in Schambach, Germany. He was very proud of his service to his country. On June 21, 1958, Kenny and Karen Mary Zamzow were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Henry A Maurer officiating. They raised their six children together until her death in 2002. On August 16, 2003, he married Sharleen K. Ziehm Launders at First Presbyterian Church, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Barbara Carmichael and Fr. John Simon officiating. Even though their time was too short, they made many memories together.Smokey worked as a field man, maintenance man, and a forklift driver at Friday Canning Company for 35 years until retiring in 1999. He was an honorary member of the Lamartine Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a lifetime member of VFW Post 8092 Oakfield, a member of Our Risen Savior Catholic Church, Woodhull, and the unofficial mayor of Lamartine.Smokey had the ability to see other uses for the most ordinary of things. He could, and often did, make something out of anything. Beer bottles became wind chimes; bicycle wheels became windmills; old tires became greenhouses. He had a garden wherever he lived, and took great pride in his yard, which served as a display area for his “art”. Smokey loved all jokes. Some were really funny, some not so much, but he knew them all. He is probably standing at the pearly gates saying, “Hey, St. Peter. Did you hear the one about …?”.Smokey’s greatest pride was his family and many friends. He was especially proud of his grandchildren, and was able to see them all grow to adulthood. His friendships stretched far and wide. He probably didn’t know everyone, but it sure seemed that way.He is survived by his wife, Sharleen Birschbach; six children: Clifford Birschbach of Zachow, Gloria (Ken) Kissinger of Fond du Lac, Gail (Mike) Havey of Beaver Dam, Grace (Rick) Glaunert of Trempealeau, Ginger (Mark) Hintz of Columbus, and Gwyn (Travis) Leu of Weston; four stepchildren: David Launders of Arizona, Susan Launders of Wheaton, Illinois, Donald Launders, and Sandy Launders, both of Lamartine; 10 grandchildren; Catrina (fiancée Scott), Cyle, and Chad Birschbach, Miranda Kissinger, Christopher and Michelle Havey, Michael and Thomas (Jenna) Hintz and Jesse and Mitchell Leu; one step-grandchild; Jason (Erin) Kissinger; three great-grandchildren: Tyler, Katelyn and Myana. He is further survived by five brothers: Melvin (Janet) Birschbach of Fond du Lac, Donald Birschbach (special friend Janice Halbach) of Lamartine, Harold (Linda) Birschbach of Lamartine, Stanley (Edith) Birschbach, and Lyle (Carol) Birschbach, both of Fond du Lac; five sisters-in-law: Catherine Birschbach of Fond du Lac, Faye Vossekuil of Hilbert, Fern Zamzow of Fond du Lac, Edie Schneider of Fond du Lac, Sherry (Woody) Schmutzler of Spencer; many nieces and nephews, and numerous long time friends, especially Ivan and Betty Reetz of Fond du Lac.He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Frances Birschbach; his first wife, Karen Birschbach, and her parents, Earl and Mildred Zamzow; three brothers: Charles (Margaret) Birschbach, Franklin Birschbach, and Joseph Birschbach; a sister-in-law: Rosemary Birschbach; his first wife’s two brothers: Ervin Zamzow and Harvey Zamzow; his first wife’s sister, Gerry (Robert) Schneider; his first wife’s brother-in-law, Jack Vossekuil. He was further preceded in death by two stepbrothers: Jerome (Madeline) Landreman and Robert (Helen) Landreman; and a stepsister: Jane (Joe) Losh.Smokey and his family would like to thank the Wisconsin Cancer Center, the Ambulatory Infusion Clinic, St. Agnes Hospice Hope, and the 5th floor nurses at St. Agnes hospital for all of their care, kind words, comfort and support.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011, at Our Risen Savior Catholic Church, N6499 County Road Y, Woodhull, with Fr. John Simon officiating. Burial and military rites will take place at Woodhull Cemetery.The visitation will be at church on Friday, January 14, 2011, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lamartine Volunteer Fire Department and Our Risen Savior Church.For his family and friends, we mourn our loss. There is pain and there are tears, but also great joy that we were a part of the life of a very special man. We are his legacy, greater than any monument ever erected. We will carry him in our hearts forever.

Kenneth "Smokey" E. Birschbach

August 7, 1936 - January 9, 2011