BIRKHOLZ, Duane 1940-2014

BIRKHOLZ, BROWN, WILSON, MILLER, MERRITT, MEAD, RYDER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/1/2014 at 00:39:22

OSAGE, IOWA - Duane Birkholz, 73, of Osage died Tuesday, April 29, 2014, in hospice at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage of metastasized lung cancer surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2014, at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Gary Gilbert will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1, and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday.

Duane Harley Birkholz, son of Harley and Norma (Brown) Birkholz, was born August 22, 1940, in Charles City, Iowa. He attended school in New Haven and graduated from Osage High School in 1959.

Duane was united in marriage to Carole (Wilson) Miller on December 22, 1969, in Oquawka, Illinois. The couple made their home in the country near New Haven. He was employed with Water Tower Paint and Repair out of Clear Lake for many years.

Duane was an aviation enthusiast who earned his pilot’s license and received flying lessons from Ray Henry at a young age. He was a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and the PRA (Popular Rotorcraft Association).

Duane enjoyed riding his motorcycles with anyone who would join him. He was a master tinkerer and builder who loved his projects and working on several things that interested him. Above all else, Duane loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Living family members include his wife of 44 years, Carole of Osage; children: Susan Birkholz-Mead (Derek Mead) of New Haven, Loretta (David) Merritt of Riceville, Vickey (Mark) Ryder of St. Charles, Mo., LaVonne Mangin of Columbus, Ohio, Beverly (Rich) Perry of Lonedell, Mo., Andy (Patti) Miller of Lewisburg, Tenn., Rhonda (David) Burkett of Hazel Green, Ala., and David (Michelle) Miller of Jacksonville, Fla.; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Donna Hying of Waterford, Wis.; his beloved dog, Jack, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter, Vallie Marie Krieger; and sister, Beverly Lubbert.

Hauser Funeral Home, 641-228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 1 MAY 2014