Merwyn Claire Birkholz

Merwyn Claire Birkholz, age 82 of Waupun, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Prairie Ridge Memory Unit.

Birky was born on September 2, 1927, to Frank and Anna (Warber) Birkholz in the Town of Trenton, Dodge County. He was baptized at St. Johns Lutheran Church in the Town of Trenton on October 2, 1927; confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam on August 30, 1942. He attended Beaver Dam High School, then sailed the Great Lakes.

Birky was drafted into the Air Force in 1946 and served his country overseas. On June 28, 1950, he married Marion Meier at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Reeseville. They made their home in Waupun where he worked at National Rivet and Manufacturing Company, retiring as a supervisor in 1989. Birky was a member of Pella Lutheran Church for many years; formerly serving as an Elder, Trustee, Sunday School teacher, member of its Men’s Club and Christmas Committee. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who especially enjoyed being grandpa to Dakota. Birky kept busy tending his garden, working on his lawn, wood working and fixing things. Other hobbies were picking up and cracking hickory nuts; and making sauerkraut. He and Marion volunteered their time delivering meals on wheels for several years, and also enjoyed traveling together and spending time at their trailer in Tomahawk, WI.

He is survived by Marion, his wife of fifty-nine years; two daughters, Darlene Birkholz of Waupun; and Denise and her husband Joseph Bauer of Hartford; his son, Daryl Birkholz and Carol Addison, his significant other, and her children; two grandsons, Dakota Birkholz and Robert Bauer; three great-grandchildren, Kailey, Brady, and Kelsey Bauer; a sister, Velma (Orin) Schroeder, Beaver Dam; a sister-in-law, Doris Birkholz; a special friend, Brian Daane; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Lyle and his wife Viola; two nephews, Ryan Schroeder and David Birkholz; and a grandson, Brian Bauer.

A Celebration of Merwyn’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Pella Lutheran Church, 315 S. Madison Street, Waupun, with the Rev. Kenneth Loehrke officiating. Burial will follow in the Burnett Union Cemetery.

Merwyn’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

A Memorial Fund has been established for Pella Lutheran Church or Heartland Hospice, 63 West Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.