Robert Edward Bayerl
Robert Edward Bayerl, Holcombe, passed away Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, his 78th birthday, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Robert was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, to Clement and Borghild (Nickelson) Bayerl, Sept. 29, 1945.
He grew up on the family homestead in the Town of Colburn, with his parents, sisters, Mary and Susan, and his grandparents.
Robert graduated from Gilman High School in 1963. He attended Taylor County Teachers College (TCTC) in Medford, where he met his wife, Dianne Severson. They both graduated from TCTC in May of 1965, and Mount Scenario College in May 1972.
The two were married July 24, 1965, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cornell. They taught together in the Gilman School District for six years.
Then, in 1969, they moved their family from the Gilman homestead, to Paradise Point Road in Holcombe. They began teaching in the Lake Holcombe School District in 1971, and taught there for the next 31 years, retiring in 2002.
Robert was a charter member of the Lake Holcombe Lions Club and among his many roles while a Lion, he served as District Governor, was on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Lions Foundation and served as State Council Chairman.
He was also an active member of Holy Cross Parish, serving as the sexton and caretaker of Holy Cross’ cemeteries, and as a member of the Parish Finance Council. Robert served as the town chairman for the Town of Lake Holcombe for over 20 years. He devoted much of his life to the service of others.
Robert enjoyed making maple syrup, and restoring his Model A’s and John Deere tractors.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years – Dianne; his daughters – Kristen Bayerl Hurlburt (Brent), Chippewa Falls, and Kara Travis (John), Eau Claire; seven grandchildren – Nathan (Anna) Sime, Alec Sime, Kellie (Matt) Markham, Jacob (Bethany) Talledge, Megan (Luke Shilts) Grottke, Lila Grottke and Callie Travis; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son-in-law – Christian Grottke.
Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 6, at Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, from 3-8 p.m. A visitation will also be held one hour prior to the start of the funeral Mass, Saturday morning, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cornell.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with Father Eric Linzmaier officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation or the Lake Holcombe Education Foundation.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome.com Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cornell, is assisting the family.
