Gary Zirbes

Gary F. Zirbes, age 61 of Sauk Centre, died Monday, October 25, 2010 at St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 30 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Inurnment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Gary Fredrick Zirbes was born December 24, 1948 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Alcuin and Celestine "Sally" (Nathe) Zirbes. In 1967, Gary graduated from Sauk Centre High School and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from Bemidji State University. Gary's first job was in Sebeka as an English teacher and coach. After ten years at the Sebeka High School, Gary took a position as assistant principal in Blackduck where he worked for six years. During this time, Gary continued his own education and received his master's degree from St. Cloud State University. With his new degree, he took a position as principal in Rothsay. After four years as principal, he moved on to serve as superintendent from 1991 until 1998. Gary's last two years in administration were spent in Ogilvie, where he retired as superintendent in 2001. During his retirement, Gary continued to work as a dispatcher for Kane Transport in Marshall and Stormy Transport in St. Cloud. He also worked around the Sauk Centre area, including mowing at the Lynx National Golf Course.

During his career in education, Gary enjoyed coaching football, basketball, and drama. Gary also had a love for muscle cars and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing cards, especially cribbage.

He is survived by his children, Amy (Christian) McCalla of Monticello, Jeremy (Jane) Zirbes of Stillwater, and Joshua (April) Zirbes of Chesapeake, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Sawyer, Quinn, and Kennedy McCalla, Ella and Henry Zirbes, and Keegan and Emma Zirbes; mother, Celestine "Sally" Zirbes of Sauk Centre; brothers and sisters, David (Joanie) Zirbes of Bertha-Hewitt, Audrey (Marc) Wiechmann of Bemidji, Andrea (Larry) Bick of Sauk Centre, and Jeff Zirbes of Long Prairie; and many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Alcuin Zirbes; and sister, Mary Therese Zirbes.

Serving as urn bearer will his son, Jeremy Zirbes. Cross bearer will be his daughter, Amy McCalla and scripture bearer will be his son, Joshua Zirbes.