Irvin Kent Banzhaf

July 01, 1960 - December 12, 2023

Obituary

FITCHBURG - Irvin Kent Banzhaf, age 63, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, after a recent decline in health. He was born on July 1, 1960, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Leslie and Mabel Jean (Irvine) Banzhaf. Irvin was married to Karen Bock in 1986, they moved to Madison in 1990, and together raised three remarkable children.

Irvin graduated salutatorian from Janesville High School in 1978 and the University of Northern Iowa in 1982 with a B.A. in Accounting. He continued on to work as a Certified Public Accountant for Grant Thornton. Outside of his professional career, Irvin cherished the time he spent working on the family farm alongside his brother, was a devoted fan of all Iowa Hawkeye sports, and shared his love for athletics by attending nearly all of his children’s sporting events and volunteering in local youth sports organizations.

Irvin is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Brandon Banzhaf and Justin Banzhaf; daughter, Leslie Banzhaf; brother, Russ (Bonnie) Banzhaf; niece, Lindsey (Dustin) Watt and their children Ayla, Owen, and Emmett; nephew, Matt (Samantha) Banzhaf and their children Jude and Hayes; and other nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Mabel Jean.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Any memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

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Christina M. Schlunz

Other • 3 years ago

Dear Karen(Bock) and Dave Bock, I was so sorry to hear of Irv's passing, but I know he now has no pain. I am thinking of you both and all of your family and friends. The last time I saw Irv was at our 20th reunion for Janesville Schools. It was nice to catch up, and now a special memory of my last chat with him. My strongest memory is walking next to Irv down the aisle at our high school graduation. I believe Dave was Valedictorian, Irv was Salutatorian, and I was ranked 3rd in our class, so the 3 of us received some awards and scholarships. In searching for the pic of Irv and I in our graduation gowns, I found his high school photo. It was neat to read what he wrote back then. He said he thought I was a girl who "had my stuff all together". I also have many memories of time spent in class with Scott Murley, Ryan Willet, and Irv. It seems they were always thinking up ways to play tricks on the teachers or the girls! I remember Irv being in basketball with my brother Bob. My sister Merry was the Captain helping on the boy's team. I tried to go to all the games. Great fun!! Great times with Tim Taylor as coach/teacher! Over the years I have often thought of the basketball boys as I would run into Tim Taylor when he was the Superintendent for the Ames School District.Football games are a great memory as well!! We were lucky to grow up in a place like Janesville, and we were lucky to have Irv in our class. Karen, I am praying for your strength and I am thinking of you daily. Hold on to the good times. Dave, I am especially thinking of you and your close connection with Irv. So many great memories between you two. I love you, Irv. Rest in Peace, my friend!! . Christina ( Wilson) Schlunz