Lawrence Birkenholz
February 22, 2011
Lawrence L. Birkenholz, 94, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston from pneumonia. He was born July 2, 1916, in Vandalia, Iowa, and was raised on the family farm in rural Jasper County.
Lawrence served in the United States Army during WWII until his honorable discharge. He worked for and retired from Caldwell & Hartung after a lifelong career in 1978. He was a member of Union Park United Methodist Church in Des Moines and enjoyed farming, gardening, and restoring antique cars.
He is survived by his son, James (Marcia) Birkenholz; grandchildren, Jonathan (Kelly) Birkenholz and Jennifer (Daniel Halma) Birkenholz; and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen; parents; and numerous brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, February 26, 2011, at Union Park United Methodist Church, 2305 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, with burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Union Park United Methodist Church in loving memory of Lawrence.
Online condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Cynthia Johnson Evans and family
02/26/2011
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Birkenholz was a wonderful neighbor to my mother Esther Johnson. He shared veggies with her from the garden and always stopped by to visit. My children remember many years ago when they would go visit Mr. Birkenholz and he would show them his old car.
Mike McMurry
02/26/2011
Jim: I am very sorry to read of your father's passing. Coincidentally, my father would have been 94 this Sept. He died in 1989. Again,Jim, I am thinking of you and your family at this sad time.
Mike McMurry
Delores [Birkenholz] Maser
02/24/2011
Dear Jim, Marcia, Jonathan and Jennifer,
My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
Please know that I have been and shall continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you arrange for his funeral and 'Memorial of Life' services.
Upon hearing of Uncle Lawrence's death today, a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. He was the last connection I had of my dear father's immediate family. Uncle Lawrence has always been special to me, because when I was a toddler, he lived in our home for several years when he was just beginning his employment with Caldwell and Hartung [my father,Frederick's lifelong place of employment, as well]. I have some memory of that time; but he often 'filled in' for me those old memories of that time in both our lives. He left our home when he married Aunt Gretchen and they began their life together.
I loved to visit him in Des Moines, for we would lovingly admire his beautiful flower beds and the flower pots filled with blossoms as we toured his yard, together. We would always discuss the cultivation of plants and I feel we both inherited our love for 'growing things' from his parents and my grandmother and grandfather Birkenholz. He, thoughtfully, was a conservationist as well; he preferred to gather all the rainwater he could; and use it for his precious plants, as well as many other conserving efforts he taught me.
I never eat horseradish, but what I think of him. He grew horseradish on the farm and gave me his recipe for preparing it. He would often share some with me and explain that he ate a bit of it each day, for he felt it was good for his health.
I cherish these memories and so many more of this dear Uncle, a kind, gentle and caring man. He touched the hearts of my immediate family when I was very young and beyond----and his memory will continue to touch my heart for as long as I live and tend my 'growing things'. In this day and age, his 'kind are rare indeed'.
My heart goes out to all of you, as you walk this path. I pray that GOD, HIS LOVE and GRACE embrace you at this time.
Sending my Love and Sympathy, Your Cousin, Delores [Birkenholz] and Al Maser
I am so sorry we are unable to attend the funeral Services; but Al and I are still in Califoria. We shall, especially, be with you in thought and prayer on Saturday. DBM
Mark Maser
02/24/2011
My heart is filled with sadness at your loss. I cannot imagine the pain you feel right now. Great Uncle Lawrence a wonderful person.
He reminded me so much of my Grandfather,Fred, his brother. Whenever I visited him it was like having Grandpa back for just a little bit.
But, of course, Lawrence was his own wonderful man.
With a heavy heart I also grieve your loss. It goes without saying that I wish I could drop everything right now to attend the funeral.
My work keeps me from coming this weekend. Please know that you are in my thoughts.
Love and prayers,
Mark Maser
Omaha Nebraska
Carleen Maasdam
02/24/2011
Jim and family--sorry to read about your father. I know he is in a better place now but you will greatly miss him. Remember all the good times you have had with him and it will be easier. He is with your mother now.
Remember all the fun times we had as kids at the Army reunions. We did some fun things. Mom (Artie VanDer Wilt) sends her sympathy also. She will be 93 in March. She is still at home but get meals on wheels everyday and does some house work. She fell last week but broke nothing. 2 years ago she broke her hip and was in a nursing home for 4 weeks. She wants nothing to do with that again. She was going to let Marjorie Frey know of your dad's passing.
I really enjoyed your dad and all the things he could do and make out of nothing. There are not too many Army buddies left anymore. Your dad and Don Starr of Knoxville were the last ones I think. Time goes on.
Will be praying for you and your family on Sat.
Harlan and Carleen Maasdam , Artie VanDer Wilt and family.