Herbert L. Kirst, 87, of Newburg died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born Feb. 2, 1926, in Newburg to the late Frank and Anna (nee Kraus) Kirst and married Emilie H. Gerek on Sept. 10, 1949, at Holy Angels Church in West Bend.

Herb played baseball and football while a student at West Bend High School and became a star pitcher for the Land O’ Lakes Baseball team. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a Ships Cook 3rd Class. Following his discharge he became a coowner of Kirst Meat Market in Newburg before working in the meat department at Paulus Foods in Cedarburg until retiring.

He was a pitch perfect tenor and enjoyed singing in the church choir at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg and also with a barber shop group and for many years was a member of the Newburg Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

Herb was a member of the Waubeka Flag Day Post 7037 V.F.W. where he served as a chaplain. For over 50 years, Herb proudly placed flags on the graves of our military veterans in four cemeteries and was recognized for his efforts by proclamation by the Washington County Board. He took pride in his service to our country and was able to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Herb is survived by his wife of 63 years, Emilie; his four children: Cynthia (Dennis) Backhaus of the town of Trenton, Pamela (John) Meyer of Sussex, Paulette (Brian) Kelley of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Thomas (Kathleen) Kirst of Madison; and seven grandchildren: Jeff (Jae Hah) Backhaus of Queens, N.Y., Dan (Nicole Johnson) Backhaus of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jenn (Kevin) Wagner of West Bend, Jarrod (Sigrun) Meyer of Sussex, John Meyer of Sussex, Patrick Kirst of St. Paul, Minn., and Natalie Kirst of Columbia, Mo. He is further survived by his two great-grandchildren: Jonah and Elsa Wagner, a sister-inlaw Laverne Gerek of West Bend, a brother-in-law Frank (Donna Rae) Gerek of Apache Junction, Ariz., and nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Anna Kirst and four siblings: Lillian Blazel, Dorothy Dorn, Willard Kirst, and Jerome Kirst.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend with the Rev. Gerald Brittain presiding. Visitation will be Saturday at the church only from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to Cedar Community are appreciated.

Herb’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center for the kind and compassionate care given to Herb and his family.

The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.

www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.