Obituary for Francis J. "Jack" Zirbes
Francis J. "Jack" Zirbes passed away Friday, November 27, 2020 at Estelline Care Center.
Services are 11:00 am, Wednesday Dec.2, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with visitation prior to the service from 9-11:00 am.
Interment will be at Castlewood Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by Vietnam Veterans of NE SD Chapter 1054 and Castlewood American Legion Post 250.
Francis John (Jack) Zirbes was born on 11 June 1930 to John Jr. and Katherine (Gergen) Zirbes on their farm in Castlewood, South Dakota. As he told it, though his father wanted to name him Jack, the nun on duty at the hospital would not have it, so he had to settle for “John” as a middle name—though “Jack” is the name by which he was known to all his friends and relatives throughout his life. However, St. Francis served as a good patron, nonetheless, and his spirit imbued Jack with a warm kindness, gentleness, and generosity that was felt by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
Though Jack was a hard worker and did well on the farm, he wanted to see the world; he never did like cramped places, and the wide open sea called him to a 32-year service in the U.S. Navy. He breezed his way through Basic Training in 1951, owing to the strength and marksmanship gained through his experiences on a farm that made it through the Dustbowl and Great Depression on the Dakota prairie; after his childhood on the farm, he said the Navy was downright easy. Jack served in the Pacific theater during the Korean War and in many different theaters on many different ships over his decades-long career. He would often note that, despite all his time on the sea, he never did learn to swim, so he always kept his lifejacket next to his pillow at night.
In 1972, Jack moved to Denver, Colorado where he was stationed for the last decade of his Naval service. Between his honorable discharge from the Navy and his moving to South Dakota, he worked as a partsman at International Harvester. In Denver, he dedicated much time and energy as an usher for many years at Denver’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. At least twice a year, he would visit his family back in South Dakota, leaving before dawn and arriving in time for afternoon coffee, picking up rolls on the way. Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews all looked forward to Jack’s visits. He moved back to South Dakota in 2008 to spend time with and help his remaining sisters; he was always a model of selfless, quiet devotion to others.
Jack was the last member of his generation amongst his brothers and sisters: Raymond Zirbes, Clarence (Johnny) Zirbes, James Zirbes, Mary Jane Skallerud (née Zirbes), Rosella Rudebusch (née Zirbes), Irene (Paula) Zirbes, George Zirbes, Stella Wiersma (née Zirbes), Marjorie Cordell (née Zirbes), and Ralph (Butch) Zirbes. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Donna (wife of Jim) Zirbes, and many nieces and nephews grateful for having known him.
Jack’s passing is the end of an era as well as the end of a life very well-lived. His memory and influence will not only be treasured but also serve as an inspiring standard of goodness and kindness. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
Services are 11:00 am, Wednesday Dec.2, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with visitation prior to the service from 9-11:00 am.
Interment will be at Castlewood Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by Vietnam Veterans of NE SD Chapter 1054 and Castlewood American Legion Post 250.
Francis John (Jack) Zirbes was born on 11 June 1930 to John Jr. and Katherine (Gergen) Zirbes on their farm in Castlewood, South Dakota. As he told it, though his father wanted to name him Jack, the nun on duty at the hospital would not have it, so he had to settle for “John” as a middle name—though “Jack” is the name by which he was known to all his friends and relatives throughout his life. However, St. Francis served as a good patron, nonetheless, and his spirit imbued Jack with a warm kindness, gentleness, and generosity that was felt by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
Though Jack was a hard worker and did well on the farm, he wanted to see the world; he never did like cramped places, and the wide open sea called him to a 32-year service in the U.S. Navy. He breezed his way through Basic Training in 1951, owing to the strength and marksmanship gained through his experiences on a farm that made it through the Dustbowl and Great Depression on the Dakota prairie; after his childhood on the farm, he said the Navy was downright easy. Jack served in the Pacific theater during the Korean War and in many different theaters on many different ships over his decades-long career. He would often note that, despite all his time on the sea, he never did learn to swim, so he always kept his lifejacket next to his pillow at night.
In 1972, Jack moved to Denver, Colorado where he was stationed for the last decade of his Naval service. Between his honorable discharge from the Navy and his moving to South Dakota, he worked as a partsman at International Harvester. In Denver, he dedicated much time and energy as an usher for many years at Denver’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. At least twice a year, he would visit his family back in South Dakota, leaving before dawn and arriving in time for afternoon coffee, picking up rolls on the way. Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews all looked forward to Jack’s visits. He moved back to South Dakota in 2008 to spend time with and help his remaining sisters; he was always a model of selfless, quiet devotion to others.
Jack was the last member of his generation amongst his brothers and sisters: Raymond Zirbes, Clarence (Johnny) Zirbes, James Zirbes, Mary Jane Skallerud (née Zirbes), Rosella Rudebusch (née Zirbes), Irene (Paula) Zirbes, George Zirbes, Stella Wiersma (née Zirbes), Marjorie Cordell (née Zirbes), and Ralph (Butch) Zirbes. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Donna (wife of Jim) Zirbes, and many nieces and nephews grateful for having known him.
Jack’s passing is the end of an era as well as the end of a life very well-lived. His memory and influence will not only be treasured but also serve as an inspiring standard of goodness and kindness. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.