BIRKEDAL, Peter G. 1895-1985

BIRKEDAL, MADLAND BYRKJEDAL, GUNDERSON, FIELD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/11/2011 at 12:37:24

Funeral servics for Peter G. Birkedal of Mason City, Iowa, were held on Friday, January 25, 1985 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City with Rev. D. Jacobson officiating. The Rev. Paul Birkedal of Moorhead, a grandson of the deceased, spoke on behalf of the family. Vocal music was offered by Mrs. John Bates of Rudd, a granddaughter.

Burial was at Rock Creek Lutheran Cemetery, rural Osage. Mr. Birkedal, 89, died at the Good Sheperd Health Center, Mason City, on Monday, January 21, 1985, following an extended illness and a stroke suffered on January 4th.

Born on May 23, 1895 near Stavanger, Norway, to Gunnar and Maren Madland Byrkjedal, he was one of four children. He came to the United States at the age of 16 in April of 1912, narrowly missing sailing on the ill-fated Titanic, due to a last minute change of plans. He farmed for 28 years in Dunn County, North Dakota and Mitchell and Floyd Counties in Iowa. he also worked at the Mason City Tent and Awning, as well as their Sioux Falls, S.D. branch, and at the former Hanford Hotel in Mason City, before his retirement at the age of 65 due to ill health.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel of Mason City; two daughters, Mrs. John (Marie) Field of Osage, and Mrs. Philip (Margaret) Luttio of Toyohashi, Japan; one son, Palmer of Osage; one sister, Petra Madland of Sandnes, Norway; one stepson, Kenneth Gunderson of Plymouth; one stepdaughter, Mrs. David (Marlene) Stafford of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

[Mitchell County Press -- January 30, 1985]