Fred H. Zirbel

Fred H. Zirbel, 92, of Mason City, passed away Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Nora Springs Care Center. 

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., at Praise Community Church, 11 2nd Street NW, with Pastor Jeff Dahlin officiating. 

Memorials may be directed to the family of Fred Zirbel.

On November 9, 2012, Fred’s last words to Beverly, our mom were, “We will be together again, young barefoot, hand in hand walking on that beach. I found you once and I’ll find you again. I love you, Bev.” 

On November 25, 2024, Fred, 92, left us to join mom on that beach, together again. 

Fred Herman Zirbel was the second child of ten children born to Alfred Emil Zirbel and Ruth (Holt) Zirbel. He was raised on the family farm 4 miles north of Swaledale, IA. Growing up on a farm in the Midwest meant a lot of work for everyone to make it run smoothly. While attending grade school in Swaledale, he skipped two grades. This put him in the same graduating class as his older brother Glen in 1949. 

In 1952, he met Beverly Jean Roth in Mason City. They married in November of 1953 in a small ceremony at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City. They welcomed three children into their family. Rebecca Louise Zirbel in August of 1954, Gregory Fred Zirbel in November of 1956, and Kurt Douglas Zirbel in May 1962. Fred and Beverly had almost 59 years together before Bev’s passing in 2012. 

Fred worked various jobs until being hired by Interstate Power Co to be the rural representative in the North Iowa region. He loved his job and was the perfect man for the job with his farming background. In 1994 he retired after 31 years. 

Fred loved collecting, particularly WWI and II military weaponry, memorabilia and artifacts. He was a fixture at any gun show, swap meet, or auction where military items were being traded, swapped, or sold. A nearly encyclopedic knowledge of guns made him very popular among likeminded enthusiasts.

In the mid 1960’s and 70’s, he studied and practiced Judo, achieving a 5th degree brown belt and becoming a ‘Judoka’. Fred made many lifelong friends through his hobbies and interests. 

Fred was a great dad, grandfather, brother, and friend. Family was always important to him. He wanted his kids to know how great it was to live on a farm, experience what that meant and know that they were part of a big, exuberant, close-knit family. He gave us unconditional support and loved us even though we may have behaved unlovable at times. Dad always tried to give us everything we needed growing up and experiencing family vacations to show us the country was one way. Recently I told him that I never believed him when he told us, “I’m never taking you kids on a vacation again.” He just smiled. 

Fred was many things. He was smart, well read, friendly, outgoing, loved talking to people, and was always willing to lend a hand or help someone out. Sports were very important, either coaching, watching from the sidelines, or following his sons’ and grandkid’s games. These events were a priority for him and mom. He had an irreverent, wicked quick sense of humor and most everyone has a favorite “Fredism’ which in the last few years I’ve come to realize came from “Alfredisms”. As kids we felt loved and valued by dad, we hope he knew we felt the same for him. 

He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca (Dennis) Kindschuh; sons, Gregory (Sharon) Zirbel and Kurt (Renee) Zirbel; and daughter, Beverly Smith; 11 grandkids, 20 great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids. Whether ‘step’ or traditional grandkids, it didn’t matter, he loved them all. He is also survived by siblings, Glen (Lola) Zirbel, Margaret Marinis, Rachel Wood, Paul (Kathy) Zirbel, David Zirbel, Mark Zirbel, and Doreen (Don) Hanson; brother-in-law, Ronald (Kathy) Roth, plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Jean Zirbel; parents, Alfred and Ruth Zirbel; brothers, Keith and Donald Zirbel; and two baby grandsons. 

Our family would like to thank everyone at Nora Springs Care Center for the wonderful care, thoughtfulness, the tireless empathy, patience and sympathy shown towards dad during the 15 months he lived there. They became more than caregivers and he loved the attention they all gave him. Dementia is an insidious, frustrating, and challenging disease and it takes a special type of person to give the level of care dad received. After his fall on November 10, Mercy Hospice came in and made his last two weeks comfortable. They provided the additional support he truly needed. We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts as this situation was so difficult. We were losing someone dear to us, they gave him dignity and compassionate respect until he left us. Thank you all. We will always love you, Dad.