Irvin "Irv" Wolbeck

Irvin Raymond Wolbeck was given to John and Leona (Hiltner) Wolbeck as a gift from God on Monday, April 17, 1950. He was born on the farm and farming was in his blood. As one of 11 children, Irv has many memories growing up that involve his siblings…from going to Country School together to playing softball on Sunday afternoons with the neighbors. Driving tractor was one of his favorites and he continued this until the fall of 2019, helping his son with the harvest.

As a member of the graduating class of 1968 from Sauk Centre High School, Irv played basketball and had many good times with his friends, often referring to those days as the “good ole days.”

After graduation, Irv served in the National Guard from 1968-1974. He was at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. He was one of the lucky ones who was picked to drive truck and met many people while doing so. After his discharge, he came back to Sauk Centre and helped on the family farm with hopes of taking over.

On one fateful night in April of 1975, Irv and one of his buddies decided to go to the New Munich Ballroom. There is where he met Donna Theis, for which he told his buddy, “I am going to marry her someday.” They began dating and on August 8, 1975 he asked her to be his Bride. Irv and Donna were married on November 29, 1975.

Irv and Donna moved on to the farm and wished to begin a family. Although they prayed for this to become a reality, they had to learn that God’s timing and plans are the best. They were given the gift of their children by adoption; Jennifer in 1981 and Josh in 1985.

Irv was sure to show his children how to work hard and to enjoy all your moments in life. Some of our best memories were driving around on summer evenings, sometimes stopping at Dairy Queen for ice cream, playing games in the yard after chores, or spending our winters indoors goofing off as Irv was never one to be too serious…even when we wanted him to be. He loved to grill and loved Sundays when we came together and he could do that for us, even without the help of Donna and Jennifer.

Along with farming Irv also worked at Standard Iron and Walmart. He retired in July of 2017, but continued to farm with his son. Irv sold the farm to his son Josh in 2012, making it the third generation to farm the same land. Irv and Donna moved into town when Josh married Becky.

Upon his retirement, he was able to enjoy vacations with Donna and the company of friends. He gained the title of grandpa in 2015 and wore that proud. His grandchildren were the light of his life and he was so blessed to be able to see them daily on the farm.

In January of 2018, we found out what his fate was as he was diagnosed with cancer. We always knew he was strong, but WOW, he was a fighter!

We had to let him return to God on August 10, 2020. He left this earth with his family at his side.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Donna; children, Jennifer (Jeff) Kaweesa and Josh (Becky) Wolbeck; grandchildren, John, Irene, Henry, and Marie Wolbeck. He will also be missed by his silbings, LeRoy Wolbeck, Irene Uhlenkamp, Irma (Dave) Bromenshenkel, Arlis (Dave) Pesta, Marilyn Bromenshenkel, Doris (Dallas) Hamilton, and Joyce (Mike) Primus; in-laws, Clarence Trisko, Leo McKigney, and Jeanine Wolbeck; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Waiting to greet him in Heaven were his parents, John and Leona; sisters, Rita Trisko and Arlene McKigney; brother, Don Wolbeck; sister-in-law, Irene Wolbeck; brothers-in-law, Dan Bromenshenkel and Vern Uhlenkamp; nephew, Adam Bromenshenkel; and niece, Denise McKigney.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15 at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Jeremy Theis officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. There will be no visitation prior to the Mass on Saturday.