Leone M. Schimmel Birk, 97

Leone Birk

Blue Earth Leone Mary Schimmel Birk, age 97, of Blue Earth, passed Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at St. Luke’s in Blue Earth.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth, with Father Peter Klein officiating Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Blue Earth. Visitation time will be 12:30 p.m. before the service at the church.

Leone was born Jan. 18, 1919 in Wesley, Iowa to Charles (Carl) and Adella (Garman) Schimmel. She moved to Blue Earth in 1920 where she attended rural school for eight years. She graduated from Blue Earth Public School in 1936 and from Blue Earth Normal Teacher’s Training in 1937. Taught rural school from 1937-1940. She married John Birk on June 1, 1940. After their children were born she worked at the Blue Earth School system from 1965-1983.

She was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, VFW Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters of America, and Parish Council of Catholic Women.

She is survived by her sister, Evonne Mikkelson, of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; four daughters and four sons, Joan (Robert) Griep, of Hot Springs Village, Arizona, Marilyn (William) Wallace, of Puyallup, Washington, Kathleen (Ross) Nesbit, of LeSueur, Joleen (Todd) Hassel, of Centerville, John (Vivian) Birk Jr., of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, Robert (Joan) Birk, of Hot Springs Village, Arizona, Richard (Phyllis) Birk, of Madison, South Dakota, Michael (Brenda) Birk, Chisago City; 25 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; son, Thomas; parents, and one brother.

Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com