Michael Herbst
August 24, 1950 - December 08, 2015
Obituary
Michael LaVerne Herbst, 65, Gratiot, Wis., died Dec. 8, 2015 at home after a battle with small cell prostate cancer. He was born August 24, 1950 in Hazel Green, Wis., the son of Kathleen and LaVerne Herbst and he lived most of his life in Gratiot.Mike graduated from Black Hawk High School and attended college at the University of WIsconsin-Platteville, where he made lifelong friends. He married Dianne Boeck June 16, 1973 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot. The couple has six daughters, which Mike took great pride in. He loved to tell people how later on God and his daughters finally graced him with boys after six sons-in-law and 11 grandsons joined the family.Early on in his career, Mike worked as a home contractor for Wick Homes and received several awards until he decided to farm full time. He was intellectually gifted with numbers and was capable of great compassion -- he would give the shirt off of his back to anyone less fortunate. One of his biggest loves in his life was the farm. He will be remembered for giving combine rides to the grandchildren and spending time with those who worked for him over the years. Mike built the Gratiot Fast Stop convenience store in 1999 with his brother and owned and operated the business until 2014. He had a wonderful sense of family and community. He also loved his 1966 Corvette and enjoyed rides in the summertime. He was always helping others, spending time with family, watching the weather and had endless concern for his daughters' whereabouts, especially during bad weather; even after they were grown.Survivors include his wife, Dianne, of Gratiot; his six daughters: Shanna (Craig) Driessen, Seymour; Michelle (Carl) Huschitt, Browntown; Heidi (Adam) Lindsey, Lake Mills; Emily (Brent) Massingill, Orangeville, Ill.; Jaci (Jake) Haack, Dodgeville; Amber (Chris) Wersal, New Glarus. His siblings: Joe (Nancy) Herbst, Browntown; Herb (Marlene) Herbst, Gratiot; Mary Pat Richel (Mark Davis), Orangeville, Ill.; Chuck (Christy) Herbst, Gratiot; Dick Herbst, Gratiot; Pat Herbst, Gratiot; Lisa (Mark) Taft, Monroe. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Kort, Rhett and Teig Driessen; Madelyn and Owen Huschitt; Truman Lindsey; Mack, Griffin and Leo Massingill; Nash and Collins Haack; and Ford, Fletcher and Frances Wersal. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, LaVonne Boeck, Monroe. Special friends include Bob Montgomery, Ben Solberg and Jerry Seinfeld. He was preceded in death by his parents: Kathleen and LaVerne Herbst; a brother in infancy, Tommy Herbst; his father-in-law, Delbert Boeck and two nieces, Carrie Herbst and Toni Boeck.The family would like to give special thanks to the Monroe Clinic Oncology Department and its nurses, his favorite nurse, Michelle Huschitt, the Monroe Clinic Hospice care, Dr. Robert Hegeman and several other doctors and nurses for all of their special care and concern.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Monday, Dec. 14 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot with Rev. Joji Reddy officiating. Friends and family may call preceding the funeral from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14. Erickson Funeral Home, Darlington, is serving the family.
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Memories
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chuck
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SUCCESS: On August 24,1950 a baby is born. Ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, and one nose. Its a little boy. Little boy wants to walk. Stands up, falls down, stands up, falls down, stands up and runs. Little boy wins. Little boy wants to ride a bike. Gets on falls off, gets on falls off. Thinks its fun to just push the bike. Little boy wins. Little boy wants to drive a big tractor. Big brother teaches him. After a short training little boy and teacher drive tractor up a tree. Tractor tips over, no one is hurt. Little boy wins. Little boy goes to school. Is a good student, makes lots of friends. Little boy wins. Little boy graduates high school. Goes to college, makes more friends. Little boy wins. Little boy meets a girl, falls in love. Marries that girl. Little boy wins. Little boy and his wife have a baby. Ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, one nose, its a girl. Little boy wins. Little Boy has another girl. Fills his house with 6 daughters. Little boy wins. Little boy raises six girls. Walks each of the down the isle . Little boy wins. Little boy has grandkids. Makes a great grandpa. Little boy wins. Little boy gets sick. Stands up, falls down, stands up, falls down. Stands up one last time, and goes to Heaven. Little Boy has achieved Success. We can all learn a lot from a little boy. With love from: Joe; Herb; Mary; Chuck; Dick; Pat; Lisa
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Darlene Fogel
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To one of my many favorite nephews...you will be missed so very much. You were also loved so very much. Aunt Darlene and Uncle Jerry
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merrie leverton
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TO A SPECIAL FRIEND REST IN PEACE DONALD BROWN TRUCKING http://www.ericksonfuneralhome.com/Content/Themes/Shared/Symbols/forgetmenots.png
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Amber
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Dad had a mean Jump shot....serious hang time.
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Amber
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Grandpa with his Wersal Boys.
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Jaci
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To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded.