Obit: Gregorich, LaVerne (1939 - 2012)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
E.mail: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Gregorich, Tomac, Trybula, Higgins, Liebzeit, Landwehr

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI) 15 Aug 2012

Gregorich, LaVerne (13 July 1939-12 Aug 2012)

LaVerne A. “Chico” Gregorich Sr., 73, Willard, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. Rev. Joseph Follmar will officiate. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Cemetery Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Troy Porter, Jacob Porter, Benjamin Porter, Baird Liebzeit, Konrad Leibzeit, Alex Landwehr and Henry Landwehr. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 17, at Holy Family Catholic Church, and also on Saturday at the church, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

LaVerne Anthony Gregorich was born on July 13, 1939, in Greenwood, the son of Joe and Julia (nee Tomac) Gregorich. He was raised and received his education in the Greenwood area, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1957. Chico married Audrey Trybula on April 4, 1959, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. They moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he worked in construction and as a grocery store clerk for six years. In 1965, they moved to Willard and began farming. Chico loved playing the banjo and guitar; and played for many bands over the years throughout the Midwest, but mostly played with the Richie Yurkovich Band and the Jeff Walker Band. He was well known for his Laughing Polka and his gift of music he gave to all. He retired from farming in 2003. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and had served on the town of Hendren Board and the North Hendren Dairy Co-op Board. Chico had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, music, playing cards, fishing and hunting.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Audrey, Willard; his children, Lisa (Red) Higgins, Medford, Lorena (Blaine Liebzeit, Mosinee, Leinna Landwehr, Marshfield, LaVerne (Liz) Gregorich Jr., Greenwood, Lynette Woyak, Stevens Point, Leon (Dawn) Gregorich, Greenwood, Luann Gregorich, La Cresant, Minn., Leland Gregorich, La Crosse, Loni Gregorich, Marshfield, and Lance (Melissa) Gregorich, Eau Claire; 24 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Joe (Judy) Gregorich, Vacaville, Calif., Robert (Rosie) Gregorich, Marshfield, Raymond (Margaret) Gregorich, Big Timber, Mont., and William (Peggy Jugler) Gregorich, Casper, Wyoming; one sister, Nancy (Bob) Moseley, Greenwood; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh,com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.