Sylvester "Syl" C. Halbach, 96, of New Holstein, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2016, at the Atrium Post Acute Care Center of New Holstein, with his family at his side. He was born January 26, 1919, in Marytown to Vincent Sr. & Martina (Casper) Halbach. His mother died when he was three years old. His father married Elizabeth Aubach and they raised Syl along with his two brothers and his half-brothers. He attended and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in Marytown. On August 22, 1939, he married Helen Rach at St. Ann Catholic Church in St. Anna. Helen preceded him in death on July 12, 1996. Syl began his mink ranching career in 1937, working at Associated Fur Farm. In 1940, he was hired by Langenfeld Fur Operation. During the war years, his career turned to the shipbuilding yard in Manitowoc. In 1947, he purchased his first five mink which began the tenure of Halbach Mink Ranch. He retired in 1982, turning over the family ranch to his son, Don. He was a member of Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association and a stock-holder of United Feeds and XK Mink Foods Inc. where he formerly served on the board of directors. Syl was a honorary member of the St. Anna Sportsman Club. Syl enjoyed planting trees and tending to his ponds on his land just outside of New Holstein. He was honored with an award received from the Fond du Lac County Land Conservation Committee in 1982 shortly after excavating his first pond. Syl was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein. Survivors include his 12 children, Donald (Nancy) of Mount Calvary, Kathleen "Tootie" Kraus and her special friend, Merle Voelker, of New Holstein, Gerry (JoAnn) Halbach of Marytown, his twin daughters, Jean (Tom) Mueller of Kiel, Joan (Rick) Mueller of Highland Park, IL, Dan (Karen) Halbach of New Holstein, Paul (Janice) Halbach of Chilton, his second set of twins, Mary (Bruce) Schaar of New Holstein, Mike (Cindy) Halbach of St. Anna, Deb (Mike) Heus of Marytown, Steve Halbach of New Holstein and Scott (Mary Beth) Halbach of New Holstein; 37 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren with the 54th expecting any time soon; 10 great-great-grandchildren with the 11th expecting in June. He is further survived by his brothers, Jim (Kathy) Halbach of Fond du Lac, Howard Halbach of Racine and Vincent Jr. (Marie) Halbach of Johnsburg; his sister-in-law, Bernie Halbach of Kiel. In addition, he is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Vincent Sr. & Martina Halbach; his step-mother, Elizabeth Halbach; his wife, Helen; his son-in-law, Charlie Kraus; a grandson; a great-grandson; his brothers, Claude, Edmund and Robert Halbach; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and his special friend, Myrtle Sabel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1724 Madison Street New Holstein, WI 53061. Syl will be laid to rest next to his wife, Helen in the parish cemetery. Visitation: Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue in New Holstein on Monday, January 11th from 3:00pm until 8:00pm and again at the funeral home Tuesday morning from 9:00am until 10:15am when brief rites will be held. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home Monday evening at 8:00pm. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net