JOHN KORBEL
John Korbel, age 92, of Menomonie, WI passed away Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 at Glenhaven in Glenwood City, WI.
John was born on July 8, 1925 on his family farm in the Slovak Valley, Boyceville, WI to George and Mary Korbel. He grew up and helped on the family farm located in Tiffany Township until joining the US Army in 1945 serving as a Military Policeman. While serving in World War II he was stationed in Germany and this is where he met Emma Betz. They were married on January 24, 1948 in Ruckingen, Germany.
After his honorable discharge, they traveled back to the Slovak Valley and purchased a farm and farmed until he and Emma moved to Minneapolis, MN. He worked at Minneapolis Moline, New Brighton, an ammunition factory before returning to Connorsville, WI to farm once again. While still farming John returned to work at the ammunition factory in support of the Vietnam War effort. In the late 60’s John and Emma moved back to Golden Valley, MN where he worked at Tennant Company which built all types of sweepers until he retired. (His nickname was Pops and the younger workers were always asking him for advice.) After his retirement from Tennant he moved to Menomonie, WI. His love of driving lead him to picking up and delivering cars for Johnson Motors of Menomonie for several years.
John’s longtime passion was to fish the Wisconsin and the Canadian waters for the “Big One”. If not fishing you would find him in the woods around Boyceville or Canada hunting for the “Other Big One”. An avid sports fan you would find John rooting for the Green Bay Packers or attending Wisconsin Badger football games, Menomonie football games, or Twins’ games with family members. If not in the water or woods you would find him playing cards with family or friends for hours on end until he won. Although he only had an eighth-grade education he was smart with numbers and could do math in his head – no paper and pencil needed! John’s hidden passion was his “sweet tooth” for circus marshmallow peanuts and orange slice candy.
A Day to Remember, May 8, 2010, he was honored to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D. C. via the Freedom Honor Flight.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, Emma of 69 years of marriage; their children, Ellen Carlson of Boyceville, Alvin (Linda) Korbel of Richlands, NC, Lisa Holcomb (Tyler Schutjer) of Draper, UT; six grandchildren: Scott (Tracy) Carlson, Carla (Tom) Grogran, Alvin Jr Korbel, Laura (Corey) Thomas, Whitney Benson and Jared Holcomb. John was blessed to have six great-grandchildren, Parker, McKenzie, Micah, Odin, Oliver, and Jalen. John is also survived by two brothers – Frank (Marvel) Korbel, Edward (Ann) Korbel; one sister, Mary Kuzmik. And many nieces and nephews.
John was proceeded in death by his parents George and Mary Korbel, brother George Korbel and sister-in-law MaryAnn Korbel, sister Bessie Scheid, son-in-law, Alan Carlson and Tyara Korbel, granddaughter-in-law.
In lieu of flowers please send donations in John’s name to Veteran’s Services or Glenhaven Nursing Home, Glenwood City.
His family greatly thanks all the staff at Glenhaven for their great and loving care for John. We really don’t know what we would have done without you.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, with Pastor Brad Peterson officiating. There will be visitation at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Military Honors will be conducted by Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard.
To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com