Herman Birkenfeld (Tulia)

Herman J. Birkenfeld, 81, died Thursday, July 21, 2005, in Nazareth. Visitation for family and friends will be Sunday, July 24, 2005, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Tulia, followed by scripture service at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. The funeral Mass will be Monday, July 25, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Mr. Birkenfeld was born January 28, 1924, in Nazareth to Joe and Blanche (Wagner) Birkenfeld and graduated from Nazareth High School in 1941. He served in the United States Navy from December 1943 to April 1946. He married Marilyn Hoelting on February 14, 1950, in Nazareth and farmed and ranched in that area as well as Union and San Miguel Counties in New Mexico. He operated Birkenfeld Trucks, a livestock transportation business, and played fiddle in the Melody Six band. He served on the board of directors of Happy State Bank for 14 years. He was a lifelong member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the church choir. He was a member of the American Legion and the Lions Club and was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Harry, and three other brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Darlene Schulte of Nazareth, Karen Peddy and Gail Hooks of Canyon and Shana Hutchins of College Station; eight sons, Kent of Canyon, Keith, Bob, Clyde, Darryl, Greg and Alan of Nazareth and Joel of San Antonio; one brother, Jerome, of Nazareth; two sisters, Velma Warren of Hereford and Rita Woetovech of Nazareth; 21 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Holy Family Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 100, Nazareth, TX 79063 or the Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace, Amarillo, TX 79106.