Kurt Kirchner

Kurt Scot Kirchner, 63, of Rib Mountain passed away on Saturday September 25, 2021 in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Kurt was born on November 14th 1957 to Elmer and Ellen (Boise) Kirchner in Kingston, New York.  One of nine children, he grew up in New York until the age of five at which point his family moved to Kenosha Wisconsin.  He graduated from Shoreland Lutheran High School, Kenosha in 1975.  While attending Shoreland, he met the love of his life, the beautiful Debra Kirchner.  The two of them were united in marriage on July 8th 1978.  A beautiful love story they have had ever since.  A short time later they welcomed their first child, a daughter,  Holly Marie into the world.  In 1980 Kurt moved his bride and baby girl up north to Withee, WI where they bought a farm and would spend the next 20 years farming, raising a family and building their legacy.  Over the next five years they would add three boys to their family Kevin Daniel, Nathan Alan and Christopher Manning.

First and foremost dad was a man of great faith.  Not only was he a man to talk of Christ to his family he was a man that truly lived it.  If he wasn't out working he could be found studying scripture at his desk.  Many nights on the farm I remember yelling out the house into the darkness for dad and you would eventually hear his response from atop a 70 foot silo.  When us kids would question what he would be doing up there at that time of night he would respond with "talking to God!"   His life was centered around God, his family and his work.  He would instruct us kids on God and faith as the number one purpose in this life.  When he was blessed with grandchildren the legacy continued.  He would have them memorize scripture, words of wisdom, commandments all before school age.  When they got older he would have them listen to the creation minute, apologetics and answers in genesis.  He made sure they knew the true meaning of Christmas and Easter.  He was a man with a contagious laugh, a grateful heart and a positive outlook on life.  In his early 40's he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  A diagnosis that would make anyone question God's plan but he never questioned God's sovereignty his faith never faltered.  Even through his trials on this earth he was thinking of others, as he lay in his hospital bed during those last days he was praying for us.  He was truly a man of selflessness and unconditional love.

Through life he not only farmed but was an auto mechanic and a truck driver.  As a truck driver his family was blessed to make trips around the U.S with him.  He would take his beautiful bride and then he would take one or two of his kids at a time to spend time with him and view the country.  We spent time together, we talked, we laughed we viewed God's creation, we escaped death and yes even seen some miracles along the way.  Dad was adventurous and carefree, even through the serious and hard things in life he was lighthearted.  He would race us kids to the house (I don't think we ever got to the point of beating him), he would wrestle us all in the living room, he taught us all to ski and we'd ride bikes into town as a family to the root beer stand.  We'd make trips after church hiking and relaxing together before the craziness of the week would start again.  He taught us that contrary to our drivers instructors the first thing you do when you get in a vehicle was NOT to put your seatbelt on but to pray.  He was also not too serious to pass up some practical jokes here and there.  After farming for 20 years they sold the farm and moved to Wausau where he continued working as a truck driver before retiring at the age of 51 due to his Parkinson's disease.  It was here that the blessing of him was truly passed on to his grandkids.  He became their caretaker, mentor, they looked up to him and loved him unconditionally.   He'd take them to the park, make them pick dandelions, catch chipmunks, go for ice cream and McDonalds.  He'd take care of them when they were sick, he'd watch their sports games and be there for them when they needed his wisdom and guidance.  He loved politics and began passing that on to them.

More then anyone else on this earth he loved his wife.  He was content to be with no one else but her.   He showed us what a marriage should be.  He would of loved to have been able to travel the states with mom just the two of them and a camper.  The two of them would dream and plan to do such things.  They didn't have much but they had what they needed God and each other.  We will miss him more then can even be expressed he was our rock the man we turned to!  A huge hole is left in our hearts but we are finding comfort in knowing he walks with Jesus perfectly and he was welcomed home to those blessed words "Well done my good and faithful servant!"   We look forward to the day that we will see him again what a joyous reunion that will be!  My dad was not afraid and found true rest for his soul in the promises of Jesus!  So this is not goodbye but "I'll see you on the other side!"

Kurt is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Debra Kirchner of Wausau,: his mom Ellen Kirchner of Suring, WI; his children, Holly (Kevin) Rohland of Marathon, Kevin (Leslie) Kirchner of Rathdrum Idaho, Nathan (Ashley) Kirchner of Edgar, and Christopher Kirchner of Wausau; 12 grandchildren, Brenden (Taylor), Brianna, Makenzie, Kaylee, Isaac, Caiden, Rylee, Allie, Jensen, Kassidy, Karli, and Morgan; his 8 siblings, Ellen Gvozdenovic of Kenosha, Earl (Marilyn) Kirchner of Appleton, Doug(Marylou) Kirchner of Owen, Kim(Janet)Kirchner of Cecil, Paul(Linda)Kirchner of Suring, Susan(Al) Johnson of Pleasant Prairie, Gayle(John) Morman of Kenosha;  mother-in-law, Betty Kirchner of Union Grove; sister in law ,Diana(Pete) Willkomm of Union Grove, brother in law Ken(Chris) Kirchner of Kaukauna, and many nieces and nephews

He is preceded in death by his father Elmer Kirchner and his father-in-law Leo Kirchner, as well as a son or daughter born prematurely

Funeral services will be held on Thursday September 30th 2021 at 11:00 am at Mountain of the Lord Lutheran Church, 224650 Bittersweet Rd., Rib Mountain. Rev. Andrew Buschkopf will officiate.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park cemetery after the service.  Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the time of service on Thursday at church.

Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  You may leave messages and condolences for his family at helke.com