Obituary
Robert “Bob” Lanzel
Robert Edgar Lanzel passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023 at home in Onalaska, WI. He was 88 years old.
Bob was born on May 4, 1935 to Julia A. and Anthony G. Lanzel. He was one of twelve children. He married Barbara J. King on June 26, 1954 at St. John’s Church. Together they raised five children.
Bob only made it through 8th grade, but he was one of the smartest men we knew. With hard work and determination Bob achieved the designation of Master Plumber. He began his plumbing career at R.H. Lovold and he ended over 40 years of plumbing working with his sons at Coulee Region Mechanical.
Bob was a jack of all trades. He built furniture, sewed beautiful quilts, built an ultra-light plane in his basement and numerous other projects. Whatever Bob put his mind to he accomplished.
Bob loved deer hunting, fishing and Christmas. The years he spent with the Lanzel Hunting Party at Uncle Bob’s Cabin with his brothers and sons are times he cherished. “If it’s brown, it’s down” was his motto. Catching sunfish on the Black River and frying up sunnies always brought him pleasure, but Christmas truly was the time he loved the most. Having his family around him and spending time with them was something he treasured above all else.
Bob is survived by his children; Terry (Dan Chesebro) Cozy, Jeanette (Jim) Bast, Paula (Jim) Adkins, Bob A. (Kim Antony) Lanzel and Bill (Barb) Lanzel. His grandchildren; Erin Cozy, Laura Adkins, Jessica (Jay) Burnette, Emily (Ben Jorgensen) Lanzel, Sarah (Elliott) Gleiss, Courtney Adkins, Carolyn Adkins, Kyle (Michelle) Bast, Ashley (Shawn) Olson, Robert W. Lanzel and Kendall (Kevin Anselmo) Bast and 17 great-grandchildren. His sisters; Delores Bennett, Betty Joseph, Marie (JIm) Guertin and Ann Sandvig. His brothers; Herb Lanzel, Joe (Lynn) Lanzel, Bill (June) Lanzel, Jim Lanzel and Fred (Cheryl) Lanzel. He is also survived by his best friend and loving partner for over 28 years Avis Lebiecki.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara, brother Tony Lanzel, sister Angie Lanzel and his grandson Chris Cozy.
Special thank you to Dr.Davis and the caring staff at Gundersen Health Systems.
There will be a service Saturday, December 16, 2023 to celebrate Bob’s life at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska, WI. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am with a service at 11:00 am. There will be a luncheon following the service.
Someone said, “Bob, you lived a long and great life. You have a loving family.” Dad answered, “Yes I do, but look at what I will miss!”
Bye Dad. We miss you too. WUH!
condolences from your neighbors fries family. rest in peace
Ann & family, so sorry for your loss ? l saw his picture & said this has to be Ann’s brother ? Now your memories will hold you all together ??
Miss you Uncle Bob! Thank you for the wonderful memories ❤️
Gena Iverson King . So sorry for your loss. Was a neighbor years ago. And friend with the some of the kids. I’m sure your Dad will be missed
Dear Bobby, Bill… I know Steve always enjoyed working with your Dad. He shared a few good laughs with me about him. We know you will miss him and we will keep you and your entire family in our thoughts and prayers.
To the Family of Robert Lanzel
To all those who called Robert (Bob)– Soul Mate, Dad, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend.
Our deepest heart sympathy especially to the family.
He was always a joy to have in our conversations.
I loved his passion for mother nature, hunting, Hunting Stories and just plan Humor and friendship with friends and Family. He always spoke of his adventures with family, especially hunting on his land.
May your family savor the fond memories of what your family shared with one another. And cherish those moments in time. Life is always too short, but we can make those memories, bring a bright and cheerful life, with all our love ones. Not everyone Embraced their life,
as much as Bob. While we listened to his Eulogies, at his Celebration of Life.
You could tell he Breathed every breathe, and lived every moment, with Family and Friends.
May God bless you all, with many fond and treasured memories.
The poem may summarize his life’s journey, I believe.
A reading by a man who stood up to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on their tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and he spoke the following date, with tears.
But said what mattered most of all
was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on the Earth.
And now only those who loved them know
what that little line is worth………
We don’t choose our birth date or death date,
but we do decide how we live the in-between and make the most of your life….
The Greeks did NOT have Obituaries
They only asked.. “Did they live with PASSION??”
In Greek AGAPE means “Love as an Action“ –
Act as what you Do, makes a Difference.
*******
“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.”
—Richard Bach
“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
“Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow.”
—Rita Schiano
Grief is the price we pay for Love. – Queen Elizabeth
“There are two important days in your life: the day you’re born,
and the day you find out why. (hopefully)you know why.
-By David J. Johnson – founder of the Global Owl Project, 2023
*****
Soulmate quotes:
“If we’d never met, I think I would have known my life wasn’t complete.
And I would have wandered the world in search of you, even if I didn’t know
who I was looking for.”
― Nicholas Sparks
Death is inevitable. Our fear of it makes us play safe, blocks out emotion.
It’s a losing game. Without passion you are already dead.
–Paritoshik Sharma
Soulmates are so hard to lose. “What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined to strengthen each other,
to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.”
― George Eliot
“Soulmates They say friends are the family we choose. Being chosen was the greatest moment
of my life and when they passed, it was the worst moment of my life.”
I can’t lose you. Because if I ever did, I’d have lost my best friend,
my soul mate, my smile, my laugh, my everything.
–Unknown
When you love somebody, you trade souls with ’em-forever.
You give them yours and they get yours.
So they are never forgotten and you are a better person for that.
From MTV/Paramount Streaming Series 1883
No one is ever lost in death,
As long as, they are not forgotten. ****
-Unknown
May God comfort your family in his arms.
God Bless you all…
May God Bless your Family
Niece to Avis – Lynn (Ridderbush) Beck & Daniel Beck -Phillips, Wi
One Big bear hug to your entire Family.
We are sure Bob was looking down with a huge smile of approval,
at his Celebration of Life.