Marvin William Birr, 94, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his daughter’s home on January 17, 2023. Our father left his earthly home to begin his new life in his heavenly home with our mother, Carole, the love of his life.
Our father was born on March 13, 1928 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to his parents Marvin Birr Sr. and Alma Siech Birr. Our Dad’s father tragically died in a work accident when our Dad was only three years old. Dad always said his only regret in life was to have never known his father. During the Great Depression, when Dad was in the 4th grade, his mother moved the family out of Sheboygan to her father’s farm in Gillett, Wisconsin. Dad lived there with his mother, grandfather, his sister Marion, and his many uncles who Dad always said were like brothers to him. Living on the farm during the Depression taught Dad much. But the one life lesson that Dad always carried with him his entire life was to appreciate what you have and to be content with it. He always held true to that. He never wanted for more. His favorite quote was from Will Rogers “Never measure wealth with money”.
After Dad’s mother remarried, they left the farm and moved back to Sheboygan. He attended Pigeon River School and then attended Central High School. In his sophomore year he met a girl named Carole, his future wife, our mother. Carole, whose last name was Zahn, was seated in the back row of his class. Dad was seated in the front row because his last name started with a B. Because our mom liked to talk to the kids seated around her too much, the teacher moved her to the front row, right next to our father. The rest is history. Dad graduated from Central High School in spring of 1946. In June of 1946 he enlisted in the Air Force. Immediately after his honorable discharge from the Air Force, our parents were married on March 13, 1948 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sheboygan.
Mom and Dad had two daughters. Their first daughter was Patricia (Pat) and later, their second daughter, Laurie (Dad’s fishing partner for life). Dad worked as a welder at the Kohler Company in the foundry until the Kohler strike. On January 1st, 1956 he was hired by the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department. He started his career on the department as a patrolman. He was promoted to Detective in January 1964, and then promoted to Lieutenant of Juvenile and Court Division in 1968 until his retirement on October 22, 1983. Dad made two bids to run for sheriff, but was narrowly defeated both times. Throughout his career he attended numerous short term academic sessions at Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin Madison, as well as traffic law courses at the State Patrol Academy. He served as past president of the Sheboygan County Law Enforcement Association, he was the chairman of the personnel committee for Shelter Care, and a member of Toastmasters. He also served as the spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department’s safety programs, regularly presenting to schools, churches, and civic organizations. He received the Award of Excellence from the Sheriff’s Department from 1978 to 1982. After retirement he taught as a state certified instructor for group dynamics and driver safety at Lakeshore Technical Institute.
Our parents were lifelong members of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sheboygan. Dad was very involved at St. Paul’s. He served as president of the men’s club, member of property management, served as an usher, was on the vestry and was a member of the St. Paul’s Mustangs dartball team. Dad was an avid sportsman. He loved to golf and bowl and had many trophies to show for his accomplishments. He loved the Green Bay Packers and was a season ticket holder from early on. He treasured his time hunting and fishing, muskie fishing being his passion. But what mattered most to Dad was the time spent together as a family at our summer cottage on Pelican Lake. As he repeatedly said every evening without fail when we gathered on the sun porch admiring the lake, “This is what it’s all about…Family!” Dad, because heaven is perfect, it will have a dock. Keep a fishing pole ready for me.
Dad is survived by his two daughters, Pat Schetter of Sheboygan, and Laurie (Geoff) Wein of Sheboygan; 3 grandsons whom he treasured, Christopher of Milwaukee, Nathaniel of Denver and Cameron (Kyle) of Madison. Sister, Marion (Joseph) Kuehl of Colgate, Wisconsin, and brother William (Candie) Fisher of Gillett, Wisconsin. Nieces Diana Kuehl, Sue Nehring, Debbie (Jim) Kyler, Mary Jo (Scott) Johnson, Julie (Jody) Rost and nephews, Brian Fisher and Mark (Kelly) Fisher. Dad is preceded in death by his wife Carole Zahn Birr, his parents, Marvin Birr Sr. and Alma Siech Fisher, a sister, Beverly Fisher, and many aunts and uncles.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th Street in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until service, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Matt Shive will be officiating. A graveside service will be at Lutheran Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.
A Memorial Fund has been established for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marvin’s name.
Our family would also like to thank Sharon Richardson’s Hospice at Home, especially Cathy and Kim, for their compassion, guidance and attention. You helped us navigate a very overwhelming time in our lives.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Marvin’s arrangements.
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