Brian J. Kirby

Brian Kirby, age 89, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin died at his home on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spring Valley.  Please wear a mask and respect social distancing.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, April 17 at noon, after visitation, at Sacred Heart Church.

Burial will be in St Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery, Wilson, Wisconsin.

Brian was born January 13, 1932 to William and Edna (Peck) Kirby in Elmwood, Wisconsin.  He was the youngest of 5 children.  He attended grade school in Elmwood and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1950. After high school he enlisted in the United States Navy. 

After completing his time in the Navy, he continued his education at UW-Stout where he attained a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Industrial Arts Education and minor in Public Speaking.  He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling.

On June 11, 1955 Brian married Beverly Aaby at St Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth.  They lived in Menomonie until Brian graduated from UW-Stout.  They moved to Woodbury, Connecticut, where he taught at the Danbury Training school.  After 6 years, they moved back to Wisconsin and Brian taught at Unity High School in Balsam Lake.  By this time he had earned his Master’s degree and settled in Spring Valley and was the Guidance Counselor at Spring Valley Schools for over 25 years.  One of his passions was the Scholarship Fund at the school and his goal was to have scholarships available for any graduating senior who wants to further their education. 

He was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Valley and was active in the community where he was a member of the Spring Valley Lions. In addition he helped manage the community food shelf and was one of the founding members of the Spring Valley Education Foundation. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Beverly; siblings: Francis Kirby, Julia Werner, Donald Kirby, and Ruby Engels. 

Survivors include his daughter Susan (Dean) Timm; sons William Kirby; Peter (Wanda) Kirby; grandchildren: Steven (Jericka) Kirby; Patrick (Jessica Brletich) Kirby; Micheal Kirby, Benjamin Kirby and Daniel Kirby.  Great grandchildren: Nicole Kirby and Caleb Kirby; Brother-in-law Bob Engels and Sister-in-law Lorna Kirby;  other relatives and friends.

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