Obituary for Henry W. "Hank" Zibrowski

Henry “Hank” William Zibrowski, Mindoro, WI, passed away at home surrounded by family on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the age of 78. Hank was born to Edna (Russert) and Arthur Zibrowski on June 21, 1942, being the youngest of 10 siblings. Hank married the love of his life on October 13, 1962, Sharon Evenson, daughter of Edmond and Winifred Evenson. Together they started their lives together farming in Spring Grove, MN, where they welcomed their three children: Thomas, Kimberly and Jerome. In 1968, they moved to Granddad’s Bluff, La Crosse, to manage Ridgeview Stables. Hank was looking for a change out of the farming industry and they moved to Mindoro in 1973 where he began to work at the Mindoro Co-operative Creamery for a span of 24 years. For 13 of those years, he managed the creamery and also made an award-winning blue cheese. It was an honor for him to have his youngest son follow in his foots steps, and he was proud to put Jerome’s master cheese maker medals on him. Hank enjoyed the game of golf and enjoyed the summers playing with his sons, brothers, cousin David, nephews and many others. Hank was also known as the midnight golfer in his later years and proud to have received a lifetime membership at River Bend Golf Course due to his blindness. Hank had a love for Christmas trees and built a tree nursery on the farm growing beautiful balsam and fraser firs. He enjoyed the holiday season watching people trying to find that perfect Christmas tree. Hank retired from the creamery in 1997 and became part owner of a new startup nursery business that is still going today. When it was time to end the partnership, he began driving milk truck for several local area haulers up until October, 2002 when Hank’s life as he knew it changed forever and he lost his sight. We are grateful for the lessons he taught us and the most important one – perseverance. His blindness lead to many great things like learning how to use a computer, continuing to play golf, “hence the midnight golfer”, attending Lions camp, and becoming President of the La Crosse Chapter of VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) Support Group. He was instrumental in introducing the group to bowling and once a month enjoyed a passion he loved to do before his blindness. Hank overcame his lack of sight by his good sense of humor and positive attitude. In 2005, they moved into Mindoro so that he could be more independent. His family was very thankful to the whole town of Mindoro who had their eyes out for Hank when he would “walk up town.” 2 drinks was his limit but if by chance he had more than that he ended up in a few driveways, garages, and maybe knocked on a few doors but someone would always shout out, “Hank, one too many again” and directed him which way to turn and he would find his way home. Hank had a love of hunting and fishing and enjoyed many summer hours fishing on Marsh-Miller Lake in Bloomer, WI. Hank was also a member of the Mindoro Lions Club for decades and enjoyed serving his community and others through their good work. He was also not shy to say he was a Minnesota Vikings fan too. Hank’s passion for family was evident and he was very proud of his children and grandchildren. Family gatherings and visits were events he looked forward to and very seldom missed these events. He looked forward to attending monthly breakfast gatherings with his siblings and spouses and annual family reunions. Hank is survived by his wife of 58 years Sharon; sons Thomas (Kay) of La Crosse WI; and Jerome (Diane) of Mindoro WI; daughter Kimberly (Aaron) Byom of North Bend, WI; grandchildren Ryan Zibrowski of Pittsburgh, PA, Rachel Zibrowski (fiancé Brady Turk) of Bangor, WI, Shawn (Jessica) Byom of North Bend, WI, Lisa Byom (fiancé Josh Triplett) of Peyton, CO, Candyce (Chris) Deck of Spring Grove, MN, Nicole (Mike) Corridori of Calabasas, CA, and Dayna (Andy) Schutz of Marshfield, WI; great granddaughters Hailey and Amelia Byom and Kya and Kaylee Deck; brothers Leland (Carol), Leslie, Richard (Maureen); sister Delores Yanzer and brother-in-law Darrel (Sharon) Evenson and many cousins, nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents and father and mother-in-law, Hank was preceded in death by brothers Norman, Ronald, Wilfred, Harold and wife Phyllis; sister Mae and husband Gene, brother-in-law Gene Yanzer; sisters-in-law Janet Zibrowski and Rose Zibrowski; and great granddaughter Angela Rose Byom. The family would like to recognize Isabel Sader for her assistance in caring for Hank and Sharon after Sharon’s stroke. Also, Dr. Kelley Bahr and staff and the Gundersen Health System Hospice team and especially Nurse Jenna. A celebration of life will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a memorial service to be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the Mindoro Lion's Park. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Jostad Chapel, West Salem, is assisting the family with arrangements.