Alvin Birkholz

Memorial services for Alvin L. Birkholz, age 71, of Browns Valley, MN will be Friday, June 10, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sisseton. Alvin L. Birkholz passed away June 6th in rural Wheaton, MN.

Inurnment will be Saturday, June 11th at the Springbrook Cemetery in Swanville, MN.

Alvin LeRoy Birkholz was born September 8, 1939, in South Saint Paul, MN. He was the son of Henry Leonard and Dorothy Belle (Mabie) Birkholz. In 1945, the family moved to a farm near Swanville, MN where Alvin attended Swanville Public School, graduating in 1957. After a brief stint in the United States Air Force Alvin attended St. Cloud State College. On April 17, 1959, he was united in marriage with Helen Joyce Martenson in St. Cloud, MN. From this union three children were born: Heidi May Birkholz, Allen James Birkholz and Becki Doreen Birkholz.

On May 6, 1988, Alvin was united in marriage with Melissa Ann Caswell in Rapid City, SD. They were blessed with three children: Andrew LeRoy Birkholz, Christopher Aaron Birkholz and Samuel Adam Birkholz. Alvin worked many years as a teacher, principal and superintendent in the public schools of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota. He was also employed by Teal's Market in Sisseton, SD.

Alvin L. Birkholz is survived by his wife Melissa of Browns Valley, MN; six children: Heidi Birkholz-Wortel of Rapid City, SD; Allen Birkholz of Black Hawk, SD; Becki Birkholz of Black Hawk, SD; Andrew Birkholz and his wife Diana of Fargo, MN; Christopher Birkholz of Faribault, MN and Samuel Birkholz of Browns Valley, MN; three grandchildren; two brothers: Leonard Birkholz and wife Marlene of Minneapolis, MN and David Birkholz and wife reNee of Woodbury, MN.