ELLINWOOD — Lawrence Birzer, 83, died Feb. 17 at Promise Regional Hospital in Hutchinson. Born Oct. 24, 1927 near Ellinwood in rural Barton County,he was the son of John Birzer and Isabell Frenzl. A lifetime resident of Ellinwood he was a retired farmer and oilfield pumper. He retired from Ladd Oil Company in 1987 after 34 years as a pumper. On April 27, 1948 he married Catherine Esfeld in Great Bend. Mr. Birzer was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus #1187, both in Ellinwood
Survivors include two sons, Melvin and Twila Birzer of Great Bend and Steve and Brenda Birzer of Ellinwood; two daughters, Jane and Bob Carr of Edmond, Okla. and Connie and Keith Miller of Great Bend; two sisters, Ursline Penka of Cunningham and Marguerite Birzer of Wichita; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Dorothy Krier, Florence Parsons and Gerry Westfall.
Altar Society will be at 3 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday followed by Knights of Columbus rosary, both at the church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Charles Mazouch officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s School Living Legacy Fund, K of C or Ellinwood Hospital Auxiliary.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Kimple, Inc. Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 246
Ellinwood, Ks. 67526
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 20, 2011