Kristine M Bangart

New Holstein WI

Kristine M. Bangart, age 72, died on September 24, 2023, at her home in New Holstein.

Kristine was born on April 15, 1951, to the late Edgar and Arlene Knauer in the city of Manitowoc, where she resided until her teens. She then relocated to Chilton, where she graduated in 1969. After graduation, she started working at Tecumseh Products, got married and had two children, Ross and Renae. She later divorced, and met David Zirbel, whom she had been with for over 30 years.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed gambling, fishing, bowling, shooting pool, cards, board games, reading, driving fast cars like the Pontiac GTO Judge. She also enjoyed spending time with her sisters, who were known as the “Booze Sisters”, which included honorary members Jean Blashka, and her niece Vicki Wetenkamp. They travelled all over Wisconsin and even to Mexico, where they would put on skits, where Kristine impersonated Cher and even Michael Jackson. After the closing of Tecumseh Kristine, retired, and later got her CDL and started driving for David’s business as well as doing the bookkeeping.

Kristine is survived by her long time partner David Zirbel; her children Ross (Tonya) Bangart and Renae Luchterhand (Jason Poppy); her grandchildren Cody Denzel (Olivia) and Xander Bangart; her sister Karmen (Dale) Meissner; her brother Michael (Kristy) Knauer; her brother-in-law Tony Kraemer; David’s mom Carly Zirbel; David’s siblings Kathy (Donnie) Blaylock, Jim (Michelle) Zirbel, and Michael Zirbel (Debbie Blank); Cody’s father Tim Denzel; her besties Barb Pagel, Rosie Heller, and Pauline Aldridge as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends.

Kristine was preceded in death by her parents: Edgar and Arlene Knauer, her sisters Polly Kraemer, Gail (Dave) Powell, and Kathleen Weichart; and David’s father Allen Zirbel.

Currently, the family is planning private services.

Kristine’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Kathy Bench for all of her help.