Fern Birkel

Fern Birkel, 78, of Columbus, died Friday November 30 at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha. Funeral services are 10:30 am Wednesday, December 5 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with the Rev. Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday after 3:00 pm at McKown Funeral Home with a Vigil service at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning from 8-10 am at McKown Funeral Home. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery.

Fern K. Birkel was born May 24, 1923 in Bellwood to Samuel and Mattie (Zehr) Kiser. She was raised in Columbus and worked various jobs before she married Louis Birkel on September 24, 1945 in Belleville, KS. She raised a family, worked as a Clerk at T.G.Y. for 8 years, Woolworths for 8 years, Polly Shoe Store for 6 years, Columbus Meat Market, West End Grocery, and Luschen's IGA. She was a member of St. Isidore Church, Christian Mothers, Life member of the DAV Auxillary, and the VFW Auxillary. She enjoyed crocheting and baking. Memorials may be made to the donors choice.

She is survived by:

Husband Louis Birkel of Columbus, NE
Daughter Linda (Paul) Terribilini of Lockwood, NY
Daughter Janet (Keith) Merrill of Columbus, NE
Son Michael Birkel of Columbus, NE
Daughter Mary Jo (Ray) Drueppel of Schuyler, NE
Sister Donna Cejka of Columbus, NE
Brother Don (Margaret) Kiser of Columbus, NE
Brother Jack Kiser of Pomeroy, Iowa
Sister Evelyn Sock of Columbus, NE

9 Grandchildren and 3 Great-Grandchildren

She is preceded in death by:

Father Samuel H. Kiser
Mother Mattie Kiser
Two Grandsons

Three Brothers: Lee Burmood, Russ Burmood, and Sam Kiser
Two Sisters: Bess Hodges and Clara Ernst