Kenneth L. Birkland

Kenneth L. Birkland, 90, of Estherville passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2028 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Estherville with Hospice Chaplain Greg Jorgensen officiating. Burial will be in the Eastside Cemetery in Estherville, IA. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Kenneth was born on November 16, 1927 in Emmetsburg, IA to Arthur M. and Rena M. (Smith) Birkland. He left school in October of 1945 to serve his country in the US Coast Guard and was honorably discharged in April of 1947. Kenneth proudly earned his GED in 1979. Kenneth was united in marriage to Stella Kooker on August 2, 1947 in Fairmont, MN. After he returned home from the service, he got a job in Estherville building the horse plant. He later went to work at the cement plant in town, the Creamery for 18 years, Golden Sun, the City of Estherville and lastly for Holy Family Hospital where he retired in 1991. He will be fondly remembered for tinkering and fixing things. Kenneth had a strong faith and looked forward to volunteering and attending bible study at Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was well known in the community for giving rides to anyone who needed help getting to an appointment and was honored by the Governor of Iowa for his volunteerism. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 70 years Stella Birkland of Estherville, IA; son Charles (Lori) Birkland of Spirit Lake, IA; daughter Charlene (Doug) Yates of Buffalo, MN; sister Regina (Karl) Johnson of Des Moines, IA; sister-in-law Mrs. Beverly Kooker of Colorado Springs, CO; brother-in-law Paul Kooker of Emmetsburg, IA; 9 grandchildren, Matthew Yates, Nathan (Jill) Yates, Ryan (Jill) Birkland, Jordan Birkland, Zachary Birkland, Elizabeth Tostenson, Carissa (Phil) Melvin, Rachel Keeling and Grace Birkland, 5 great grandchildren, Peyton Yates, Graeyson Yates, Elliot Birkland, Kaylee Melvin and Bailey Melvin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Candace Keeling.

Kenneth L. Birkland

November 16, 1927 - February 14, 2018