Kyle "Gibby" Vosberg
(October 11, 1996 - February 12, 2016)
On February 12, 2016, Kyle Vosberg lost his life in a tragic car accident at the young age of 19. Kyle was the middle child of his Potosi, Wisconsin family and left behind his father, David “Bubba” Vosberg, his mother and stepfather Lisa and Eric “Benny” Gotzinger, and two sisters, Katie and Kalynn. Survivors also include a large extended family and many friends.
Kyle graduated from Potosi High school in 2015 and was a proud member of the Potosi football team. He gave his all each Friday night on the football field and then worked at his job on a local farm every Saturday and Sunday. He planned to attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for the lineman program in August of 2016.
Kyle was known as a thoughtful and caring gentle giant, famous for his “bear hugs.” Kyle’s mom Lisa said, "When Kyle would hug somebody, he hugged them like it mattered. Because to him, it did. You know they mattered. And so I guess that's why everybody thought those hugs were so special."
To honor Kyle’s memory, his family started the Kyle Vosberg Bear Hug Scholarship in 2016 for Potosi graduating seniors planning to pursue a college certificate or degree. There is no grade point minimum requirement for the scholarship; they look for a student who exemplifies Kyle’s heart of gold and his willingness to help others.
Kyle’s community also rallied around his family after his passing. The city of Potosi renamed its annual Christmas tree “Kyle’s Tree” in his honor. Community members donate money for strands of lights or lighted presents that surround the tree, and all proceeds from the tree go to local families in need.
When Kyle renewed his driver's license, just four months prior to his tragic death, he made the decision to be a donor. Kyle's generous and beautiful spirit lives on in the countless lives he saved through eye, organ, and tissue donation.