Birkenholtz, Ordell Lee 1929-2023

BIRKENHOLTZ, THOMASON, BURK, ETTER, WOLFE, ANDERSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/20/2023 at 21:29:45

Ordell Lee Birkenholtz
May 3, 1929 ~ September 15, 2023 (age 94)

Ordell Lee Birkenholtz, 94, of Newton died on Friday, September 15, 2023, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home and again after burial with a lunch at the funeral home. Memorials to the American Legion Post 111 or the Monroe Ambulance may be left at the funeral home.

Ordell, the son of Charlie and Minnie (Thomason) Birkenholtz, was born on May 3, 1929, on the family farm in rural Monroe. He graduated from Newton High School in 1947 and farmed with his dad until he was drafted into the service. On February 18, 1951, he was married to Norma Jean Burk. Ordell served in the Korean War from 1951-1953. While in Korea, he served as a medic and a supply sergeant for the 421st Medical, which supported the Eighth Army in the combat zone. Ordell was awarded the UN service ribbon and the Korean service ribbon with three campaign stars.

Upon returning from Korea, Ordell and Jean raised five children on the family farm until 1983 when they moved to Newton. Ordell continued farming with his son and selling Dekalb and Asgrow seed. He spent winters in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas for 30 years. He enjoyed spending time with friends and competing in shuffleboard tournaments, for which he won multiple trophies. Ordell also enjoyed spending time with Jean and the family including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ordell is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Diana Birkenholtz, Denise (Dwight) Etter, Patricia Birkenholtz, Charles Birkenholtz, and Laura (Dan) Wolfe; his five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Everett and Dean Birkenholtz; a sister, Thelma Anderson; and two grandsons.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ordell Lee Birkenholtz, please visit our floral store.

Services
VISITATION
Wednesday
September 20, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory
1115 E. 19th St. N.
Newton, IA 50208-2539
FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday
September 20, 2023
11:00 AM
Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory
1115 E. 19th St. N.
Newton, IA 50208-2539
Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tribute Wall ~ The Wallace Family Funeral Home, Newton, Iowa 15 Sept 2023.