Caleb David Zirpel, 27, of Sarasota, FL, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 31, 2022. The funeral service will be Tuesday, 10:30 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City with the Rev. Russell C. Senstad officiating.  Burial will follow at Graceland Park Cemetery with a meal following at the church gym.  Visitation will begin at the church at 4:00 on Monday, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, with the Rev. Nabil Nour officiating.

Caleb was born on June 9, 1995, at St. Joseph     Hospital, St. Louis, MO, and entered the Zirpel household on June 27 at Bourbon, MO, after David received a phone call from Christina & Pam at a pay phone booth in Hot Springs, SD, on Friday, June 23. Caleb spent his early years in Bourbon, MO, where he learned to ride his bike, spent summers on the river roasting marshmallows, and spent lots of days “bummin” with Betty and Snork. He was baptized, by his Dad, into the Christian faith on Sunday, August 6 with a whole hog roast to follow. He frequented both church services at Concordia and spent his time hopping from one “grandma lap” to the next, searching through purses for treats.

After completing his first year in Kindergarten at Bourbon Elementary in Missouri, the family moved to Sioux City, IA, and Caleb entered the first grade at Sunnyside Elementary in 2002.  He continued on to East Middle and East High School, graduating as a Black Raider in 2013.  He participated in band, choir, speech, youth group (attended weekly Sunday School, monthly youth meetings, and the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, 2013). Caleb professed his faith in Jesus through the Rite of Confirmation on Sunday, May 2, 2010.  His confirmation verse was Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.”

During high school and after, Caleb spent much of his time working at Famous Daves in Sioux City. He loved meeting new people, and they always referred to him as the “hostess with the mostest.” It was there that he met friends who were moving to Florida, and in 2015, Caleb packed his bags and headed to Sarasota, FL. He had a few roommates along the way but had been living with one of his best friends Dani whom he met while managing at Culvers. They enjoyed living a sober life, while spending time with their fur-baby, Stella. While there, Caleb pursued his love of arts and design and enrolled in the Art Institute in Florida with hopes to pursue an interior design degree. Through his schooling he realized his passion was really real estate and had recently completed his Florida Realtors Exam. He was looking forward to passing his realtors exam and had been studying in his free time.

Caleb really enjoyed being around his friends, making new memories, and making sure that everyone was always having a good time. He was never one to put himself first and always brought a lot of light and love to those around him. Caleb will be extremely missed, and the world is a little less bright without him.

Survivors include his parents: Rev. David & Pamala Zirpel; sister, Christina (Aaron); nieces and nephews: Kadyn, Kyler, Karter, and Kelsyn;  grandfather:  Norbert Zirpel; great aunts:  Luella Zirpel, Darleen Baltzer, Tilly Walz, Darlene Holec, Rose Roth, and Mary Ellen Mettenbrink; aunts and uncles: Charlotte (Gary) Adamson, Mark (Lori)   Zirpel, Marjo (Roger)    Soukup, Bruce (Kara), Troy Zirpel, and Kayla (Rick) Orr; 19 cousins and special friends: Betty & Snork Clemens, Herman & Wanda Merkel, Larry & Judi Eckhoff and  Dani, Jessica, and River.

Preceding him in death are his grandparents: Eugene & Virginia Fenske and Elaine Zirpel; uncle: Greg Fenske.

“Blessed are the Dead who Die in the Name of the Lord”

Memorials will be given to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, unless otherwise directed.