LAWLIS, Kirby M.

LAWLIS, SMITH, SCHULZ, HILBERT, MONKARSH, HUEBACHMAN, GATES

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/10/2013 at 08:37:36

Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
March, 2002

Obituary - Kirby M. Lawlis
May 04, 1928 ~ March 27, 2002

Kirby M. Lawlis, 73, formerly of Mason City, died Wednesday (March 27, 2002) with his family by his side, at home, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Mary Ann (Smith) Lawlis. He is the devoted father of Joanne (Michael) Schulz, Patricia (Michael) Hilbert, Michael (Margaret) Lawlis, John (Carol) Lawlis and Shelia (Richard) Monkarsh. Proud and loving grandfather of Colleen and Brenden Schulz; Erin, Kaley, William and Bridget Hilbert; Meghan, Morgan, Brian and Mary Lawlis; Shea, Jack, Kirby and Delaney Lawlis; Jacob and Kendall Monkarsh. He is also survived by a brother, Parker L. (Sharon) Lawlis, a special aunt, Regina Huebschman as well as several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Lou (Lawlis) Gates.

A native of Forest City, Ill., he graduated from St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, in 1950, where he is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Kirby was a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years as well as a member of the Knights of Malta and St. James Catholic Church, Mequon, Wis. He was the director emertus of "Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful" which presented him with its "Life Service Award" in 2001 and director of Fortress Bancshares Inc., Westby, Wis.

As a wholesale beer distributor in both Iowa and Wisconsin for 45 years, he owned Tiffany Distributing Inc. (1970-1984) and Miller Brands Inc., Milwaukee (1983-1994) and served as vice president of Premium Brands, Stevens Point, Wis., for both the Iowa and the Wisconsin Wholesale Beer Distributors Association as well as chairman of the National Wholesale Beer Distributors Association, Washington, D.C., which presented him with its "Life Service Award" in 1994.

At the request of the Citizens Democracy Corps, Washington, D.C., he and Mary Ann spent eight weeks in the Czech Republic in 1994 consulting with a small brewery to help develop its sales and marketing program.

Kirby enjoyed traveling the world, fishing, golf, sports and his work, but most importantly, spending time with his family. The way in which he lived his life was a true testament to his faith. Kirby had an extremely warm and caring heart. He extended his overwhelming generosity by giving of his time, exceptional talents and financial resources to numerous private and public organizations on a local and national level.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2013