Glenn Arthur Averbeck

Glenn Arthur Averbeck, age 85, of Buffalo City, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11 at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center, Wabasha, MN. Glenn was born to Arthur and Marcella (Schweitzer) Averbeck on February 22, 1928 on the family homestead in the town of Belvidere, Buffalo County. Glenn honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1950 until 1952. During his service, Glenn sustained injuries that later earned him the Purple Heart Medal of Honor. Glenn also earned the Silver Star Medal of Honor which is the third highest military decoration of honor awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. On May 9, 1953 Glenn was united in marriage to Marion Webber-Seibert at St. John’s Catholic Church in Winona. Glenn worked in construction until 1961 when he moved the family to a dairy farm near Alma that the family operated until 1974. Even during his days of farming, Glenn worked outside the home in the construction trade and as an ironworker. Glenn was proud that his final job was helping build the new Wabasha Bridge. Glenn was a longtime and faithful member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alma. His Catholic faith was evident as a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6789 in Alma. Other memberships that Glenn devoted his time to were both the American Legion Post 224 in Alma and the VFW Post 10406 in Cochrane along with the La Crosse Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans and the Military order of the Purple Heart, serving as inaugural commander for the CBC VFW and as area and state commander for the Purple Heart. Glenn had a lifelong passion for horses of all breeds especially “Copper” his full blood Arabian Stallion. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Packers fan. He enjoyed bowling, deer hunting and going out west elk hunting. One of Glenn’s greatest passions was time spent with his wife traveling throughout the United States, most notably to the western states, Texas and Alaska. He enjoyed camping with family and friends at local campgrounds as well. Glenn will be remembered for the love and compassion he had for his entire family. Glenn will be sadly missed by his wife of 60 years, Marion of Buffalo City; his children, Donna (Jeffrey) Baertsch of Fountain City, Cindy (Richard) Penning of Wilmont, MN, Roxanne (Randy) Radsek of Sparta, Rex (Cara) of Bow, WA, Brenda (Monte) Fernholz of Cashton and Bruno (Karin) of Maryland; 17 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; siblings, Julius (Verlaine) of Waumandee, Robert (Joan) of Alma, Marie (LeRoy) Speltz of Rollingstone and Grace (Glen) Foegen of Cochrane; also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, Glenn was preceded in death by his son, Gregory on December 4, 2001; two brothers James and Donald Averbeck and infant brother Tom. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 10:30 AM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph La Plante as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Buffalo City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 18 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM ending with the recitation of the most Holy Rosary at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and on Saturday one hour prior to the mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, Glenn’s family prefers donations that will be applied to the local Averbeck Memorial Scholarship fund. Online memories or condolences may be sent to www.talbotfuneralhomes.com