Kurt "Heinz" Kirbach

Kurt “Heinz” Kirbach, 89, of Minden passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023 at Bethany Home in Minden. The family has honored Heinz’s wish for cremation and private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Kurt “Heinz” Kirbach was born on May 12, 1933, in Hamburg, Germany to Kurt Albert and Agnes Anna (Luther) Kirbach. The family made their home in Hamburg where Heinz graduated High School in 1949 at the age of 16 and then went on to become a butcher/sausage maker apprentice for 3 years. This was the start of his sausage making career. While working in the industry, he met and then united in marriage to his former wife, Ute (Behr) Kirbach in 1964 in Hamburg, Germany. In 1964, they left Germany and immigrated to New York City, NY, United States where they lived in Queens near his brother Franz and his wife. In July of 1967 they welcomed their son, Andreas (Andy) Kirbach into the world. Heinz was employed at a meat processing/packing company in the Meatpacking District in Manhattan, New York. The family later moved to Bloomingdale, New Jersey. In 1979, Heinz then moved to West Point, Nebraska to work with Wimmer’s Weiners to oversee sausage making. This is where he met Kathleen French and after many years together, on June 16, 1988, they married. To this union of marriage came 6 grown children Bryan, Clay, David, Willy, Stacy and Amy. They moved to Roseville, Minnesota where Heinz worked as a consultant for a sausage making company. In 1993 they moved to Aurora, Colorado to be closer to some of Kathy’s children. Heinz worked 10 years as a sausage making consultant and then after retirement, he worked another 10 years as a Chef to the Black Hawk Casino in Colorado. In October of 2018 Heinz & Kathy moved to Axtell to be closer to family in Nebraska and to enjoy a slower pace life. On November 2022 he moved to Assisted Living at Bethany Homes where he enjoyed meeting people, entertainment, and Bingo. Heinz was a member of Axtell Trinity Lutheran Church, he enjoyed spending time with all his grandkids and great grandkids, sitting on the front porch during the summer and watching the people go by, visiting with friends, going to the Casino, making homemade bread to give to family and friends and talking about the days he was a sausage maker and he always commented “I make sausage with my Heart.” Those left to cherish his memory include son and daughter-in-law, Andreas (Andy) & wife Michele Kirbach Melbourne, FL; step-sons, Bryan & wife Dana French Axtell, NE, Clay French Aurora, CO, David & wife Tammy French Aurora, CO, and Willy & wife Kim French Scribner, NE; step-daughters, Stacy (French) & husband Rod West Aurora, CO, and Amy French Aurora, CO; 18 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, with 2 on the way; and sister-in-law, Carol Sellentin of West Point, NE. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, his parents Kurt & Agnes, brothers Franz, Horst, Erich and sister Elfriede, all from Germany. Tschüss until we meet again. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Kurt "Heinz" Kirbach

May 12, 1933 - February 13, 2023