Richard Eibergen

Richard A. "Dick" Eibergen, 74, Granton, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 at his home of acute myelogenous luekemia, which he had been diagnosed with on July 11, 2003. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Neillsville. The Rev. Woodrow H. Pace and the Rev. Roman F. Kaiser officiated. Music was provided by Ronald Resong and, organist, Rita Kuchenbecker, soloist, St. Mary's choir, and Connie and Cory Eibergen, trumpet duo. Burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Neillsville. Honorary pallbearers were Craig Anderson-Ruskin, Cory Eibergen, Jonathon Eibergen, Kevin Eibergen, Mark Kayhart, Eric Strey, Erin Strey, and Steve Turnquist. Pallbearers were Eric Eibergen, Gary Eibergen, Jeff Eibergen, Keith Eibergen, Kent Eibergen, and Charlie Hines.

Richard Albert Eibergen was born Jan. 28, 1929, on the home farm to Will and Ella (nee Hales) Eibergen. He graduated, as valedictorian of his class from Granton High School in 1946, and then farmed with his parents on the farm that was started by his grandparents in 1885. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Zahradka on Aug. 4, 1954, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Neillsville, with the Rev. Peter Leketas officiating. Three sons, Keith, Gary, and Eric and their families joined with their parents to establish Merryvale Farms, Inc. in 1992, and built a modern milking parlor and 300-cow free stall barn. Merryvale Farms, Inc. hosted the Clark County June Dairy Days breakfast in 1996. He served as a director on the Badger Telecom Board, the Clark County Holstein Association, the Clark County Electric Cooperative for 17 years, and some of those years as its president, and was on the Board of Directors of the Citizens State Bank of Loyal. He was a member of the 4-H Leaders Federation and the Clark County Livestock Committee. He was a 4-H dairy leader for 36 years, a charter member and first president of the Neillsville-Granton Snowmobile Club. He loved to go snowmobiling with his family and friends from 1970 to 2003. He never missed deer hunting with his family and enjoyed it now with his grandchildren. He was a progressive farmer, he loved the challenge of new farming techniques and practices and working alongside his family and instilling in his children a strong work ethic. He received many state and local awards for his work the youth and the farm. The past year he and his wife, Betty, were "honored grandparents of the year" for the Granton Fall Festival, nominated by their 13 grandchildren. Previously, they had been honored as "citizens of the year." He enjoyed traveling with his wife and meeting new friends. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and served on the Church Council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Lady Fatima Council #4963. His passion was his family, faith, farm, and relatives and friends. He was very proud of his children, and especially enjoyed being with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; five sons, Jeffrey (Sarah) Eibergen, Chili, and their children, Eric (Shelly) Strey, Erin Strey, Tara Strey, and Tonia (Craig) Strey Anderson-Ruskin; Keith (Pamela) Eibergen, Granton, and their children, Candy (fiance Steve Turnquist) Eibergen, Julie (fiance Mark Kayhart) Eibergen, Dana Eibergen, and Cory Eibergen; Gary (Roxanne) Eibergen, and their children, Connie Eibergen and Kevin Eibergen; Eric Eibergen, Granton; Kent (Julia) Eibergen, Phillips, and their children, Andrea Eibergen, Hannah Eibergen, and Jonathon Eibergen; one daughter, Dawn (Charlie) Hines, Argonne; one sister, Diana Eibergen; his mother-in-law, Anna Zahradka, Marshfield; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were one daughter, Gwen Annette, at age 3; his parents, Will and Ella Eibergen; his father-in-law, Michael Zahradka; and one sister-in-law, Barbara Feyen.

Memorials May be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted the family with arrangements.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2004 edition of the Clark County Press

Richard A. "Dick" Eibergen

Richard Eibergen, age 74, of Granton, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 at his home of acute myelogenous luekemia, which he had been diagnosed with on July 11, 2003.

Richard Albert Eibergen was born Jan. 28, 1929, on the home farm to Will and Ella (nee Hales) Eibergen. He graduated, as valedictorian of his class from Granton High School in 1946, and then farmed with his parents on the farm that was started by his grandparents in 1885.

On August 4, 1954, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Zahradka at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville, with Fr. Peter Leketas officiating.

Three sons, Keith, Gary, and Eric and their families joined with their parents to establish Merryvale Farms, Inc. in 1992, and built a modern milking parlor and 300-cow free stall barn. Merryvale Farms, Inc. hosted the Clark County June Dairy Days breakfast in 1996.

Dick served as a director on the Badger Telecom Board, the Clark County Holstein Association, the Clark County Electric Cooperative for 17 years, and some of those years as its president, and was on the Board of Directors of the Citizens State Bank of Loyal. He was a member of the 4-H Leaders Federation and the Clark County Livestock Committee. Dick was a 4-H dairy leader for 36 years, a charter member and first president of the Granton FFA Alumni, and a member of the Neillsville-Granton Snowmobile Club.

He loved to go snowmobiling with his family and friends from 1970 to 2003. He never missed deer hunting with his family and enjoyed it now with his grandchildren. Dick was a progressive farmer, he loved the challenge of new farming techniques and practices, and working alongside his family and instilling in his children a strong work ethic. He received many state and local awards for his work with the youth and the farm. The past year he and his wife, Betty, were "Honored Grandparents of the Year" for the Granton Fall Festival, nominated by their 13 grandchildren. Previously, they had been honored as "Citizens of the Year."

Dick enjoyed traveling with his Betty and meeting new friends. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and served on the Church Council at one time. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Lady Fatima Council #4963.

His passion was his family, faith, farm, and relatives and friends. He was very proud of his children, and especially enjoyed being with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; five sons, Jeffrey (Sarah) Eibergen of Chili, and their children, Eric (Shelly) Strey, Erin Strey, Tara Strey, and Tonia (Craig) Strey Anderson-Ruskin; Keith (Pamela) Eibergen of Granton, and their children, Candy (fiance Steve Turnquist), Julie (fiance Mark Kayhart), Dana and Cory; Gary (Roxanne) Eibergen of Granton, and their children, Connie and Kevin; Eric Eibergen of Granton; Kent (Julia) Eibergen of Phillips, and their children, Andrea Hannah, and Jonathon; one daughter, Dawn (Charlie) Hines of Argonne. Dick is also survived by a sister, Diana Eibergen; his mother-in-law, Anna Zahradka, Marshfield; brothers -in-law; sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 3-year-old daughter, Gwen Annette, his parents, Will and Ella; his father-in-law, Michael Zahradka, and sister-in-law, Barbara Feyen.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. Mary's Catrholic Church in Neillsville. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Woodrow H. Pace and Fr. Roman F. Kaiser. Music was provided by Ronald Resong, organist, Rita Kuchenbecker, soloist, St. Mary's choir, and a trumpet duet by Connie and Cory Eibergen. Interment was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Neillsville.

Honorary casket bearers were Craig Anderson-Ruskin, Cory, Jonathon, and Kevin Eibergen, Mark Kayhart, Eric and Erin Strey, and Steve Turnquist.

Casket bearers were Eric, Gary, Jeff, Keith, and Kent Eibergen, and Charlie Hines.

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted Richard's family with arrangements.