Birkenholtz, Thomas Virgil 1952-2014

BIRKENHOLTZ, CHURCHILL, HAWK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/1/2014 at 12:53:33

Thomas Virgil Birkenholtz, 61, passed away peacefully at home in rural Monroe surrounded by his loving family.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Monroe United Methodist Church with burial following at Silent City Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the church. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Tom Birkenholtz Memorial Fund, the Monroe Fire and Ambulance, or the Monroe American Legion. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.

Tom was born on July 8, 1952, at St. Francis Hospital in Grinnell, Iowa. He was a 1970, graduate of Prairie City High School. In March of 1971, he joined the United States Air Force. On Oct. 7, 1973, he married Linda Churchill at the Monroe United Methodist Church. To this union was born a daughter, Sara, and two sons Chad and Matthew. Tom worked at the Heartland Coop in Prairie City, Kemin Industries in Des Moines, and Maytag/Whirlpool in Newton and retired in 2006. He also farmed all of his life. Tom enjoyed the first few WHO Great Iowa Tractor Rides and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and faithful dog, Susie.

Tom is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda; daughter Sara (Frank) Hawk of St. Charles and sons Chad (Elisha) Birkenholtz and Matthew (Jessica) Birkenholtz, all of Monroe and his grandchildren, Ira and Lincoln Hawk, Charlize and Olivia, Baili and Bentli Birkenholtz. He also is survived by brothers Dan (Cindy) and John (Liz) and several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents Virgil and Della Birkenholtz in 1986 and two sisters, Donna and Teresa, who both died in infancy. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa.