Gerald Emil Kreibich

Gerald “Jerry” Emil Kreibich, 83, passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, due to heart failure. He was born to Henry and Frances (Johnson) Kreibich on July 2,1940.

He attended La Crosse Central High School where he met and married his high school sweetheart Donna Mae Mitley. They were united in marriage at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on January 17, 1959, and celebrated 62 years of marriage. Together they raised three children: Jerry, Tammy and Lisa.

Jerry began his employment with Anderson Moving Company, working for Al Heilman. He always complained how the pianos needed to be moved up two flights of stairs and sometimes three! Other memorable jobs he worked at were the Cooler Company and Fleming Foods (formerly Gateway Foods) where he worked third shift and was proud to be on the union negotiation team. He also enjoyed his post-retirement years working at Festival Foods (formerly Quillins) where he would see all of his friends, family and former customers.

Jerry was best known throughout the La Crosse area for his landscape business, Jerry Kreibich Landscaping, which he began in 1980. Jerry was known for his well-tuned tractor skills and a sharp eye for detail when sub grading and finish grading commercial and residential properties. He also built many flagstone retaining walls throughout the area. He would make sure his family knew all the properties where he worked and was proud that his landscaping interests were passed down to his son Jerry, grandson Jerod, and sons-in-law David and Tim.

In Jerry’s free time he enjoyed a good card game, playing the slot machines, bingo and casino trips. He looked forward to the annual deer hunt with his son, son-in-law, and grandsons when they would spend the weekend hunting, playing cards, drinking beer and talking "smart"!  He also enjoyed ice fishing at Shady Maple during the winter months.

Jerry was known for his quick wit, chuckle and huge heart. He enjoyed meeting, visiting and making new friends. Many mornings you could find him socializing at McDonald's with his breakfast buddies. Jerry loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren; even up to his final days, the kids could always put a smile on his face!

He leaves behind his three children: Jerry (Carol) Kreibich Jr., Tammy (David) Lawrence and Lisa (Tim) Flock all of La Crosse; his eight grandchildren; Jerod (Becky) Kreibich of West Salem, Jessica (Aaron) Paiva of Missouri City, Texas, Sarah (Dylan) Delagrave of Holmen, Angela (Bobby) Raasch of La Crosse, Alicia “Allie” (Bryce) Clark of La Crosse, Kendra (Mike) Severson of Mindoro, Lindsay (Ben) Haller of Viroqua and Michael Flock of La Crosse; ten great grandchildren: Adelyn and Cadence Kreibich, Maria and Clara Paiva, Tessa and Edison Delagrave, Sienna and Emma Raasch, Greyson and Hunter Severson; two brothers, two sisters and three sisters-in-law.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, on December 16, 2021, his parents, his brother Roger and infant sister Mary.

In his last years with us, Jerry enjoyed car rides to the casino and dinner at Culvers with his daughters and granddaughters. When the day was done, he would ask "When are we going again?"

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Mother of the Church, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, WI with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Father Brian Konopa will officiate. There will be a visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. before Mass, and lunch will follow in the parish Community Center after the burial.

Memorial donations in Jerry's name may be sent to Benedictine Living Community addressed to the "Activity Department”.