FIELD, Marie Christine (Birkedal) 1917-2008

FIELD BIRKEDAL MOTLAND

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 6/11/2008 at 12:09:38

Marie Christine Birkedal Field, age 90, and formerly of Osage, Iowa, died peacefully at her home in San Gabriel, California, on Wednesday June 4, 2008. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 9, 2008, at the Eden Presbyterian Church, 3105 Glass Avenue, Rudd, Iowa, with the Rev. R. Dawson Tornes officiating and assisted by the pastors in Marie's family. Burial was in the Rock Creek Cemetery.

She was born on October 20, 1917, at home in Dunn County, North Dakota, the daughter of Peter and Sara (Motland) Birkedal. She was baptized immediately at birth because they thought she may not live. For the first years of her life, the family spoke only Norwegian. When it was time for Marie to go to school, the family moved to a farm near Osage, where many relatives lived and Marie learned English. She graduated from Otranto High School and received an Associate of Arts degree in elementary education from Waldorf College in 1937. In 1969 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Marie taught grades 3-8 in Carpenter, Plymouth and Osage from 1937-43.

She subsequently taught special education in Osage from 1964-83. Marie was married to John Field, January 28, 1942 at Rock Creek Lutheran Church by the Rev. C. B. Gunderson. They raised their family of four children on their farm west of Osage. In many ways, their lives were their children. They helped them with 4-H projects, attended their son's many sports events, and especially encouraged their music. No wonder that three of their children became college music majors, and all four of them have been active in music their entire lives. John and Marie later took many trips to Indiana to attend their two grandsons' events. In 1998, John and Marie bought a condominium in San Jacinto, California. They then spent winters in California and returned to Iowa from planting through harvesting seasons.

After John died in 1998, Marie lived with her daughter, Geraldine, in San Gabriel, California, but she still visited her farm in Iowa every year. Marie was a life long member of Rock Creek Lutheran Church and its organizations. She was also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Sons of Norway, American Legion Auxiliary, and Shakespearean Club. She was secretary of the Maakestad Picnic for many years and served North Iowa CEC as president and SECDC (Special Education Curriculum Development Center) as consulting teacher for Area II. Scrapbooks, photo albums, hosting family get-togethers and family history were very important to her.

She was especially known for her Christmas family newsletter. Marie and John enjoyed traveling very much. They drove through all fifty states, the Canadian provinces, Mexico, Germany and Scandinavia. They also traveled in England, Japan and Korea. Many of these trips were happy times with the family. Family was very important to both John and Marie. John did not live to see Kai (age 6), Lilly (age 3), and John (age 1), but Marie was able to enjoy these new little members of the family. Her last trip was to Missouri to be at John's baptism on June 1st, 2008. Marie struggled with Parkinson's since 1999. Everyone admired her courageous spirit. She still went to church every Sunday and attended family gatherings and concerts. She was an inspiration to all of us. The picture appearing with this obituary was taken on her 90th birthday.

Marie is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Cassidy, Logansport, Ind.; Geraldine Keeling, San Gabriel, Calif.; Joanne Field, Topeka, Kan.; a son Donald Field, wife Kye-Suk and daughter Kai Marie, Topeka, Kan.; two grandsons, Brendon Cassidy, Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Michael Cassidy, wife Elizabeth and children Lilly and John, Warrensburg, Mo.; a sister Margaret (Philip) Luttio, and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John; one brother, Palmer; Carolyn's husband Dick, Geraldine's husband Steve; and many other loved ones. Blessed be their memories.

Arrangements were made by Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage -- (641)732-3706.

[Original obituary posted on www.mcpress.com , June 10, 2008 - Mitchell County Press-News online]

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