Lester 'Les' K. Birkholz

Mason City Lester Les K. Birkholz, 101, of Mason City, died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Hanford Community Church, 12411 Spruce Avenue, with Pastor Scott Sokol of the Hanford Community Church and Rev. Ron Stein of the First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00PM - 7:00PM with a Masonic Service to follow, on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Inurnment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lester Birkholz Memorial Fund in care of the family. Lester was born on April 12 1909, in Floyd County, IA, the son of William L. and Anna M. (Metz) Birkholz. He received his education in Rudd Schools and graduated in 1927. He graduated from Hamilton Business College in 1928. Les married Gertrude Adams on August 19, 1933, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He was employed by Standard Oil for 25 years, and the Iowa State Highway Commission as an Inspector for 18 years, before retiring in 1971. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, camping and traveling and spent several winters in Florida. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, and attended the Hanford Community Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Harding Lodge #649 A.F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., RSVP, and did volunteer work at United Way. Les is survived by two sons: Robert Birholdz and wife Barbara of Beverly Hills, FL, Richard Birkholz and wife Maryjane of Mason City; four grandchildren: Mark Birkholz and wife Nancy of Mason City, Jay Birkholz of Colorado Springs, CO, Lisa Santee and husband Monte of Albert Lea, MN, and Annette Thornblade and husband Tom of Mason City; twelve great grandchildren; and special friend: Leota Church of Omaha, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gertrude in 1992, one brother and two sisters.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lester Birkholz Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be at Elmwood-St.Joseph Cemetery at a later date

Visitation:
Visitation will be from 5:00PM - 7:00PM with a Masonic Service to follow, on Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Service:
Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Hanford Community Church