Phillip Zibell

Phillip Earl Zibell, Cambridge, WI passed away on January 28, 2018 with his family at his side, just short of his 87th birthday.
He was the son of August Reinhardt Zibell and Viola (Nesheim) Zibell, born March 6, 1931, at his home in the Town of Primrose. Phill had one brother, Roland Zibell, Deerfield and four sisters, Virginia Flaherty, Cambridge, Carol Hemersbach, Greenwood, Sandra Elmer, Madison and Suzie Nelson, Oregon.
Phill married Betty Lou Pollow on October 3, 1951.
Together, they had five children: Mike (Vickie) Zibell, Cambridge - William (Lawana Bowe) Zibell, Cambridge - Pamela (Maynard Roehl) Zibell Pedracine, Edgerton - Patricia (Robert) Anderson, McFarland - August (Niki Conway) Zibell, Prairie Du Sac, WI
11 Grandchildren: Mike Zibell, Jr, Matthew Zibell, Kim Foxx, Kori Venden, Taylor Zibell, Jolyne Pedracine, Phillip Pedracine, Patrick Anderson, Elynn Zibell, Morgan Zibell, Jaxson Zibell
9 Great Grandchildren and several nieces and nephews
Phillip and his family ran a dairy farm in Cambridge for 18 years until his barn burned down in 1969. He then drove semi delivering Master Mix feeds out of Madison until 1994, then took up driving part-time for Vasby Farms, Cambridge.
As a young boy, Phillip started working with horses alongside his dad on the farm. In the 1940's when his dad started to compete in horse pulling contests, Phill already possessed a head full of knowledge on how to handle and care for horses. Ironically, the name "Philip", is a Greek word meaning "LOVER OF HORSES".
In 1967, his father retired from horse pulling for health reasons and Phill took over the reins to a great career in the sport.
He was then known for driving a pair of matched sorrels, named King and Trigger, which were full brothers and a great team. And also for pulling a proud, upstanding, stylish gray Percheron, named Duke. In 1974 Phill held the first record on the "Lance Machine" in the middle weight class with the proud team named "Duke and Toni".
Phill retired from driving the horses in 1980, leaving the pulling to sons, Mike and Billy as he had mastered the art of horse shoeing, which he shod, not only his horses, but many other horse pullers teams, as well......FOR MANY YEARS???
For many years, Phill and Betty offered their barn to fellow horse pullers that were en'route to a pulling event in the area. Not only offering comfort for the horses, but bed and breakfast for many. Some of Phill's greatest gifts will be the memories these pullers shared in his barn, yard and home.
Phill's late father, was the first inductee to the Wisconsin Horse Puller's Association Hall-of-Fame in 1990, with Phill following along with this same great honor on July 12, 1998.
In his later years, the family is amused at Phill for being such a huge fan of his son and grandsons band "Madison County", as he would talk to mere strangers to ask if they have heard of this great band. Not knowing these people at all and it didn't matter if it was at a bar, a restaurant or in the ER of the hospital....remembering one time, the family could hear him in the hallway, still talking about the band on his trip back from x-ray!
He was such proud dad and grandpa, no matter what his kids were in to. Phill has had a great life as a son, brother, uncle, husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa. A true family man with a big heart. And can truly be proud of his accomplishments in his life.
He was preceded in death by his Father, August Zibell - Mother, Viola Zibell - Brother, Roland Zibell - Sister, Virginia Flaherty.
The family would like to thank the Dr.'s and nursing staff at Oak Park Place and UW Hospital, both in Madison. And for friends and family that have touched our hearts at this difficult time.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday February 3, 2018 at DEERFIELD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 206 Main St. Deerfield, WI., with Rev Larry Sexe presiding. Burial will follow at Deerfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 4:00 -7:00 pm and also on Saturday February 3, 2018 from 10:00 AM until the service all at the church.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
201 Bue St. Deerfield
608-764-5369