Harold L. Zoebisch

Harold L. Zoebisch, age 79, of Richfield.
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me'" John 14:6
Harold Zoebisch believed this message of hope and ultimate truth. Harold, 79, of Richfield, MN loved life here on earth, and was hoping for many more years with hi beloved family. But the Lord's ways are not our ways, and Harold suddenly passed from this life the morning of September 9, 2015. He was the love of our life and an amazing man of strength, hope, character and humor.
Harold was born November 13, 1935, to Lloyd and Irene (Brown) Zoebisch in Winona, MN. Lloyd was an iron worker, and the family lived in many locations due to his jobs. When Harold was starting kindergarten, they settled in Minneapolis in a fine house on 29th Ave. When Harold was in his teens, his two beloved sisters joined his life - Carol Jean and Mary Kay. He adored them both immensely.
Though Harold could be quite shy, he made many friends through his school years and they remained good friends throughout his lifetime. While attending high school at South High, Harold participated in the school drama productions and ran cross country. After high school, he attended Augsburg College for a brief time, pursuing an accounting degree. Harold had a good mind for numbers, and applied that skill throughout his life. We rarely, if ever, saw him use a calculator to figure anything...he used the good mind God gave him!
Just out of high school, Harold met the love of his life, Geri Viehman, while working at Abbott Northwestern hospital. She was a nurse's aide and he worked in the medical supply room. Harold would secretly leave a red rose on her clipboard as a token of his affection, and they soon married on April 24, 1954.
Along came their first little angel, Katherine Denise Zoebisch. They were overjoyed. Curly headed and the love of the extended family, Kathy brought much love to Harold's life. When he enlisted in the Army in 1955, Harold missed his girls dearly. Stationed at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, he worked as a medical supply clerk and counted the days until he could rejoin his precious family. Discharged in August, 1957, Harold and Geri had another baby on the way. In the days before ultrasound technology, Harold had no hesitation calling this one: it was going to be a gril with brown hair and eyes. And on February 6, 1958, that's exactly what they had! Given Harold's nickname,"Zoe", little Zoe Ann Zoebisch, known to the family as Zoedie, joined this happy, growing family.
Harold found employment with Lund Press in Minneapolis and proved to be a diligent and loyal employee. There he met a young salesman, Jack Anderberg, and when Jack started his own printing company, Harold was at the top of his list for joining his team. By this time, Harold and Geri now welcomed their only son, Christopher Lloyd, coming in just under the wire on December 31, 1961. Dad was overjoyed to have a son. He was the proudest man on earth.
Harold was an avid sportsman, participating in multiple sports throughout the year. He played basketball and softball with the Holy Trinity league for many years, and he and Geri were avid tennis players, golf partners and longtime members of a bowling league. They enjoyed their card club, water skiing, snowmobiling and taking the family camping each and every summer, where he was the self-proclaimed cook. His camp breakfasts were always much anticipated! Even with all his involvement in sports, Harold rarely missed his kids' sporting events, speech meets or choir concerts, even showing up in his cleats and softball uniform if he had to! He was so dedicated, so faithful.
Harold coached Chris's Little League baseball and volunteered as Chris's and grandson Joshua's Indian Guide leader. He took his kids to Viking and Gopher football games, skiing up north, and on a memorable camping trip to the end of the Gunflint Trail on Mother's Day weekend, even surprising Geri with a corsage on Mother's Day Sunday!
Harold gave us all countless wonderful memories, the sum of which could never be accurately recounted or the impact of which could never be adequately expressed. Even all his little "projects" he said he'd "let" us do ( digging dandelions, raking leaves, cleaning out closets, picking up apples, etc.), were assigned firmly but kindly, and we are the better for it. He expected us to work and contribute to the family, and in so doing, instilled in all if us a solid work ethic and love for family.
As his kids grew, he proudly welcomed his first grandchild, Joshua Edward, into his heart and life. He loved Josh with an everlasting, enduring love, raising him as his own son and supporting him in countless ways. As more grandkids came along Harold rejoiced over each one, embracing them with love and kindness. There will never be another man that loved his family more than Harold did.
Through 57 years of marriage to Geri, Harold gave us all an incredible legacy of love and faithfulness. They were best friends and through the ups and downs of live we watched them deeply love one another from the heart. Through the many obstacles that life threw their way, they forged a love and commitment to one another that was so precious, so rare. They have set the bar high for us, leaving us a wonderful example of committed perseverance and faithful, extraordinary love. Truly, their love is the stuff legends are made of.
Harold was a man of quiet faith, having many late night conversations as a teenager about God's love with his beloved Pastor Wayne. He rarely spoke of his trust in God, though when asked, he would reply how much his faith in God was what got him through the tough time of life and gave him hope for the future. He never waivered in that faith, knowing that it was only through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that gave him right standing with God. He was always willing to pray, and throughout his life, and with his life, gave honor to the Lord for his family, his hope and his strength.
Harold's physical presence may be gone from us, but his very life and love will reside in our hearts the rest of our lives. His quick sense of humor, his warmth, his dear friendship and quiet manner will always undergird our days ahead. He was our foundation, our point of reference, our Dad, Papa, Grandpa, brother and friend. He showed us all how to love, to live and never give up. Thank you, Harold. Thank you Dad. Thank you Papa. Thank you. Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done.
May we all take the love of this wonderful man and share it today with those God has blessed us with, every day for the rest of our lives. In doing so, Harold Zoebisch's legacy will live on.
We love you Harold. We love you Dad. We love you, Papa.
We love you so much. Thank you for a life well lived.