Mary Lou Birkel, 89, of Sherrill, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Hawkeye Care Center in Dubuque.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Friday, December 22, 2023 at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Lou will be at 11:00 am on Friday, December 22, 2023, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with Father Tyler Raymond as the Celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mary Lou was born December 7, 1934, in Rickardsville, IA, the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Stocks) Schmitt. On January 22, 1952, she married Herman A. Birkel at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rickardsville. He preceded her in death on July 3, 2013.

Mary Lou worked at the Dubuque Packing Company for 47 years until it’s closing, after which she went to work at Walmart as a greeter for seven years.

Mary Lou enjoyed doing seek and find puzzles, as well as gardening and canning. Every Saturday she would make chunky chicken soup and every Sunday she would make roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn. She would always have pie on hand too even though she would say “you don’t have to eat the crust because it might be a little tough.” Above all, she enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include five children, Philip “Phil” (Punkie) Birkel, Dennis (Diane) Birkel, Nancy (Jim) Decker, Amy (Tim) Lahey, and Scot Birkel all of Sherrill; grandchildren, Corey (Kelly) Birkel, Andrea (Keith) Kluesner, Travis (Kimmie) Birkel, Amelia (Kevin) Schwers, Tammi (Trent) Weimerskirch, Nicholas (Kristi) Birkel, Aaron Decker, Evan  Decker, Drew Lahey, Ben Lahey, Claire Lahey, and Ty Lahey; great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Aleese, and Amiya Birkel, Bodie, Kogan, Ahsha, and Ahnya Kluesner, Allie and Max Birkel, Kelen, Araya, and Kroy Schwers, Emma and Jack Breitbach, Natalie, Caleb, Carson, and Connor Birkel, and Waylon and Cash Weimerskirch; one brother, Richie (Deb) Schmitt of Manchester, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Mary Lou was preceded in death by two daughters, Brenda in infancy and Karen Birkel; three sisters; four brothers; and four sisters-in-law.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Hawkeye Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care and especially to Fr. Tyler for his frequent visits that Mary Lou enjoyed greatly.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Mary Lou’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.