Obit: Gregorich, Laverne #2 (1939 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:  dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gregorich, Tomac, Trybula, Higgins, Liebzeit, Landwehr, Woyak, Jugler, Moseley, Hills, Porter, Yurkovich, Walker, Follmar

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/15/2012

Gregorich, Laverne Anthony “Chico” Sr. (13 July 1939 - 12 August 2012)

LaVerne A. “Chico” Gregorich Sr., 73, of Willard passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012.

LaVerne Anthony Gregorich was born July 13, 1939, in Greenwood, the son of Joe and Julia (Tomac) Gregorich. He was raised and received his education in the Greenwood area, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1957. Chico was united in marriage to Audrey Trybula April 4, 1959, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. They moved to Fairbanks, AK, 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 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 love 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, of Willard; his children, Lisa (Red) Higgins of Medford, Lorena (Blaine) Liebzeit of Mosinee, Leianna Landwehr of Marshfield, LaVerne Jr. (Liz) of Greenwood, Lynnette Woyak of Stevens Point, Leon (Dawn) of Greenwood, Luann Gregorich of La Crescent, MN, Leland of La Crosse, Loni Gregorich of Marshfield and Lance (Melissa) of Eau Claire; 24 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Joe (Judy) Gregorich of Vacaville, CA, Robert (Rosie) Gregorich of Marshfield; Raymond (Margaret) Gregorich of Big Timber, MT, and William Gregorich (Peggy Jugler) of Casper, WY; one sister, Nancy (Bob) Moseley of Greenwood; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Willard. Rev. Joseph Follmar will officiate and burial will follow in Holly Family Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church, Friday, Aug. 17, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also Saturday, at the church, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Troy Hills, Jacob Porter, Matthew Porter, Benjamin Porter, Baird Liebzeit, Konrad Liebzeit, Alex Landwehr and Henry Landwehr.

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

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