Leone Mary (Schimmel) Birk

LEONE MARY SCHIMMEL BIRK, age 97, of Blue Earth, passed Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at St Lukes in Blue Earth.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 2:00PM, 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 12:30pm before the service at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comLeone was born January 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 8 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 St. Peter & 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, TX, 4 daughters and 4 sons, Joan Griep (Robert) of Hot Springs Village, AR, Marilyn Wallace (William) Puyallup, WA, Kathleen Nesbit (Ross) LeSueur, MN, Joleen Hassel (Todd) Centerville, MN, John Birk Jr. (Vivian) Cross Plains, WI, Robert Birk (Joan) Hot Springs Village, AR, Richard Birk (Phyllis) Madison, SD, Michael Birk (Brenda) Chisago City, MN 25 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John, son Thomas, parents, and one brother.